Details are emerging in the case of a Tempe man who allegedly kept his father’s body in a freezer

TEMPE, Arizona. – More details are emerging about a Tempe man who was arrested after skeletal remains were found in his freezer.

Police records show that 51-year-old Joseph Hill Jr. he told officers the remains belonged to his father and he had had them for over four years.

The investigation began with anonymous information confirming this Joseph Hill Sr.’s body was found in a walk-in cooler in the backyard of the home.

“I mean… it’s wild,” said a neighbor named Penny.

Police believe an unsuspecting house hides a dark secret in the quiet community of Tempe.

“Oh my God,” Penny said. “It’s shocking.”

Residents like Penny are horrified to learn that their neighbor has been arrested for something like this.

Detectives were unable to find any government records confirming Hill Sr.’s death. Property deeds showed that his father still owned the house Primary and rural roads and received benefits from ZUS until March 2023.

Armed with a search warrant, detectives discovered a freezer in the backyard wrapped in foil, duct tape and sheets containing skeletal remains.

Police documents show that Hill Jr. admitted that more than four years ago, at a nursing home in Oregon, he watched his dad take his last breath and then put his body in the freezer.

When asked why he didn’t report his death, Hill Jr. he reportedly told officers he was afraid of losing his home because his name was not on the title deed. He also admitted that he had repeatedly tried to bury his father in the desert, but to no avail.

He said the freezer had been sitting in the yard without electricity for the past four to six months.

Neighbors who did not want to appear on camera told FOX 10 that Hill Jr. he grew up in this house, describing him as a man who often kept to himself.

They also recalled that the last time they saw Hill Sr. outdoors was about four years ago when he was in poor health.

Tempe police cannot yet confirm whether the remains were Hill Sr., but said an autopsy is being performed.

Appearing in court, the judge read Hill Jr.’s charges.

“One count of abandoning or concealing a body, a class five felony. “One count of failure to report a death, a class two misdemeanor,” the judge said.

His bail is set at $25,000, cash only.

“This is crazy. You just never know. That’s why you should always know who your neighbors are,” Penny said.