Missing Maricopa couple: PCSO says foul play possible

Pinal County Sheriff Paul Babeu said Tuesday that investigators believe foul play to be a factor in the June 22 disappearance of a Maricopa couple.

Babeu said his agency had "evidence that suggests foul play." The Sheriff's Office did not elaborate on that evidence.

The office is continuing search efforts, but Babeu added, "This is not just a search, but it is also criminal investigation into the couple's disappearance."

Michael and Tina Careccia left together for work nine days ago in a car and never returned. The Sheriff's Office previously said there were few leads after the couple's 2008 Honda Accord was found abandoned about half a mile from their home the day they went missing.

The Sheriff's Office could not supply details on the new evidence due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, Babeu said.

Stan Williams, a retired New York police officer, was hired as a private investigator shortly after the couple's disappearance by Tina's older brother, Michael Perry.

"A number of things came to my mind," Williams said while discussing theories.

Williams spoke with members of the family who lived in the Careccia house,

family friends and neighbors in the course of his initial investigation.

Luke Careccia, Michael's 17-year-old son, said he called 911 at about 7:15 p.m. June 22 to report his dad and stepmother as missing. The couple left the house at about 5 a.m. in their 2008 Honda Accord and didn't show up for any of their appointments.

"I'm worried about him," Luke calmly said in the 911 call when he reported his father and stepmother missing, adding, "Their phones are off."

Luke told the dispatcher he believed the two were headed to Chandler and supplied police with the VIN number of their Honda Accord.

Their car was later found near their home, covered in dirt, empty and with no trace of the couple.

The area the couple went missing in is rural and the landscape is dotted with derelict cars and buildings, which, according to Williams, is a "great place to hide stuff."

"It could be possible that they were abducted," Williams said, "but unlikely."

According to Williams, 14 people lived in the house along with the couple and not all of them were forthcoming in interviews.

Williams said he is working with the family on releasing new missing posters with a cash reward of $10,000 in hopes to "spark information" out of someone.

"This case has a possibility of going on for quite a while," Williams said, saying he believes the two are most likely dead. "All the evidence points to them not being alive."

Family, friends and volunteers are still holding out hope.

A Facebook page created by volunteers called "Help us find Tina and Mike" has received over 12,000 likes and has been used to help coordinate search efforts.

Volunteer searchers have been utilizing drones, ATVs and helicopters to search the surrounding areas.

Interested volunteers were asked to meet at Raceway Bar and Grill, which has served as a makeshift command post for the searchers.

Family and friends don't believe foul play to be a probability.

"I don't see what the motive would be," Luke said.

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office is aware that Williams has been hired by the family but the department is still conducting its own investigation and search efforts, said department spokesman Mark Clark.

"All possibilities are on the table," Clark said over the phone, adding that the department believes the circumstances around the disappearance are suspicious.

Friends and family have said Michael Careccia, 44, is a pilot and that Tina Careccia, 42, is an accountant, Luke said. The two are "all around great people who are dedicated to their family," he said.

Investigators said Michael is White man with black hair and brown eyes, who is 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighs about 180 pounds. Tina is a White woman with blonde hair and brown eyes who is 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs about 140 pounds.

Investigators asked anyone with information to contact sheriff's detectives at 520-866-5111.

Williams also asked anyone with information to contact him at 602-284-9707.