Michael Turner Jr., 31, of Golden Valley is now facing murder charges for killing 42-year-old Joshua Blake, his landlord after they had a dispute over rent. Deputies from the Mohave County Sheriff's Office said Turner Jr. was charged with first-degree murder.
Turner had been reportedly living in Blake's house, and days before the landlord disappeared, they had a discussion about nonpayment of rent and the latter threatened a possible eviction. He is accused of shooting and killing his landlord at some point after the argument.
According to a report by Fox 10, officers said that Blake also allegedly took the blame for Turner shooting a subject at the property on June 8, 2022. He threatened to report to the authorities that Turner Jr. was the actual shooter.
Investigating officers said Turner lived at Blake’s home in the 6200 block of Kingman Trail. He was last seen or heard from on Aug. 3. Family reported him missing on Aug. 31.
Hunter McGuire, 26, of Golden Valley was also accused of being an accomplice in Blake's murder. He has been wanted for multiple murders in Arizona and Nevada, but he was later found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound in a desert area east of Kingman.
Deputies said that during the course of the investigation, it was discovered that Turner and McGuire had both shot and killed Blake. According to a report by Law & Crime, Blake’s body was found buried on Oct 26 in a deserted property located a short distance from where McGuire was living. His remains were positively identified a day later, though the cause of death is still unknown.
After Blake disappeared, authorities said Turner attempted to notarize a bill of sale in trying to take ownership of the former's home. Furthermore, according to a report by Fox News, the suspect was also found in possession of Blake's vehicle on the Sept. 1. During a traffic stop, police found a firearm and illegal drugs in the car. The firearm violated Turner's probation conditions.
Officers booked Turner into the Mohave County Adult Detention Facility immediately after the arrest, where he has been held since. The investigation is still ongoing. The Mohave County Medical Examiner’s Office is performing an autopsy to determine Blake's cause of death.
