On the evening of March 24, 2021, 31-year-old Derek Michael Runnion of Yuma, Arizona, left home to have his car repaired and did not return. His family reported him missing and searched while distributing flyers. Derek’s body was found on April 1, 2021, in a drainage tunnel in Winterhaven. His remains showed multiple injuries: stabbed in the back and neck, shot, and his body had been burned.

Investigators linked the case to a connection made through a gay dating app. Two people were identified as responsible: Erick Chavez and his girlfriend, Jonissa Jones. Court documents and Facebook messages described a planned attack in which Chavez was to shoot Derek and Jones to stab him if he screamed.

Jones pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a sentence of 25 years to life. Chavez pleaded guilty to second-degree murder; his sentencing was pending. If anyone knew Derek, his movements on March 24, or saw suspicious activity near Winterhaven in late March 2021, contact the authorities.