BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. – Bullhead City police have arrested a man suspected of stealing property from a dead woman. Police Department Public Information Officer Emily Fromelt said investigators believe the woman had been deceased for several months when her body was discovered.
“Although there were no signs of foul play, her home appeared to have been ransacked after her death, and her vehicle had been stolen,” Fromelt said. She said that investigators identified 39-year-old David Papineau as the suspect who entered the woman’s home after learning she died.
“He did not contact emergency personnel and instead entered the home while her body was in a state of decomposition,” Fromelt said. “He then reportedly stole her vehicle keys and title, drove her vehicle and later sold it to another person after fraudulently signing the title.”
Papineau faces burglary, theft and fraudulent schemes charges.
Fromelt said that the dead woman was undiscovered so long was the impetus for the newly-launched “River Watch” program. The program involves daily wellness checks for vulnerable seniors in west county communities.
Fromelt said anyone interested in signing up a loved one for welfare checks should visit www.tristatecares.com or call Tri-State Cares at 928-275-2333.
