BREAKING NEWS

Arrest made after missing Maricopa woman's body found

Ricardo Cano
The Republic | azcentral.com
Angela Russo, 24, was last seen Tuesday, April 19, in a blue 2007 Honda Accord, according to police.

The body of a Maricopa woman missing since mid-April has been found and an arrest made in connection with her death, the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office said Sunday.

Authorities found the body of Angela Russo, 24, in a deserted area near Tonopah on May 25, the Sheriff's Office said. The discovery of Russo's body led to the arrest of Lashawn Johnson, 25, of Phoenix, who already was in custody in a Maricopa County jail on unrelated charges, said Detective Doug Matteson, a Sheriff's Office spokesman.

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Russo was last seen April 19 driving her father's blue Honda Accord, according to the city of Maricopa Police Department, which initially investigated the disappearance after the woman was reported missing by her family on April 22. The last signal from her cellphone was at 10:30 p.m., at 51st Avenue and Indian School Road, police had said.

The Maricopa Police Department, which turned the investigation over to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, said in a news release Sunday that officials found "significant evidence of foul play" when they found Russo's body.

Lashawn Johnson, 25, of Phoenix, is being held for investigation of first-degree murder and at least three other related charges in the death of Angela Russo, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

It is not known whether Russo and Johnson were acquaintances, and no other details were immediately disclosed by authorities.

Johnson is being held for investigation of first-degree murder and at least three other related charges, Matteson said Sunday. He did not provide details of the additional charges.

Russo's family said in a statement posted Sunday on a Facebook page dedicated to her search that they were "devastated by the reality of her murder."

Family and friends held a candlelight vigil in Maricopa on May 10 for Russo, who that day would have celebrated her 25th birthday.

"While the arrest of Lashawn Johnson by the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office provides some relief and closure, the family has suffered greatly since Angela went missing," the family's Facebook statement reads.

"The family is grateful for the generous out pour of love and support for Angela and (her) family. They request that their privacy be respected during this time of mourning."

Check back with azcentral.com for more details.