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 say Joseph Hill Jr., 51, told officers the remains belonged to his father and had been with them for more than four years.

An investigation was started about this based on anonymous information The body of Joseph Hill Sr. was in the freezer in the backyard of the house.

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

In the quiet community of Tempe, police believe an unsuspecting home harbors a dark secret.

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

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

Detectives were unable to find any government records about Hill Sr.’s death. Title deeds showed his father still owned the house Basic and rural roads and received social benefits until March 2023.

Armed with a search warrant, detectives discovered a backyard freezer covered in plastic wrap, duct tape and sheets containing skeletal remains.

Police documents say Hill Jr. admitted to watching his dad take his last breath more than four years ago at an Oregon nursing home and then placing his body in a freezer.

When asked why he didn’t report his death, Hill Jr. reportedly told officers he was afraid of losing the house because his name was not on the deed. He also admitted that he tried several times to bury his father in the desert, but without success.

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

Neighbors, who did not want to go on camera, told FOX 10 that Hill Jr. grew up in the house, describing him as someone who often kept to himself.

They also recalled that they last saw Hill Sr. on the street about four years ago, in poor health.

Tempe police could not yet confirm whether the remains belonged to Hill Sr., but said an autopsy was underway.

Appearing in court, the judge read Hill Jr. his charges.

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

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

“It’s crazy. You just never know. So you always have to know who your neighbors are,” Penny said.