Arizona mother traces missing son living in neighbour’s home after killing him

A mother’s growing worry over her missing teenage son led police to a shocking discovery in a south Phoenix neighbourhood, where officers say the teenager had been living in his neighbour’s home after killing him.

According to local police court records, 18-year-old Xzavion Johnson had not been seen or heard from since 29 December.

Around the same time, neighbors also stopped seeing David Jimenez, who lived several doors away near 51st and Southern avenues, KTLA5 reports.

On 12 January, Johnson’s mother went to check on Jimenez’s home. Police say she noticed a package at the front door addressed to her son and a strong, foul smell coming from inside. Alarmed, she called 911.

When officers arrived, they found Johnson inside the house. Jimenez’s body was later discovered in a decomposed state in the backyard, police said. Johnson was taken into custody at the scene.

During questioning, investigators say Johnson gave multiple conflicting accounts before admitting he had lied and then describing what he claimed was the truth.

He told police he entered Jimenez’s home on 29 December to steal money after seeing a side gate open and found a handgun inside.

According to court records, Johnson confronted Jimenez, followed him into the backyard and shot him multiple times, later admitting he intended to kill him.

Johnson told investigators he covered the body with blankets and then stayed in the house for weeks. Police say he used Jimenez’s credit cards across the Phoenix area and drove the victim’s vehicle while living there.

The case remains under investigation.