Man accused of murder after mother of his child, friend go missing during cross-country visit

An Arizona man faces murder charges after two people — including the mother of his child — went missing from Pennsylvania on a visit to the southwest.

Around 6 a.m. Sept. 4, deputies with the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office in Arizona were told about two people missing in the area. A caller told authorities that a family member and friend traveled from Pennsylvania to pick up a child under a child custody agreement.

But the caller said that neither person had been heard from in a couple of days, according to the Cochise County Sheriff’s office.

A check on a home found the child and the father, according to the sheriff’s office. The dad was identified as Gregory Carlson, 56, and he said the mom was scheduled to pick up the child around 10 a.m. but never showed up.

Police investigated and decided to question Carlson. It was then officers found evidence that led them to charge Carlson with two counts of second-degree murder, three counts of obstructing justice and two counts of concealment of a dead body.

Deputies have not said how the victims died or why they believe Carlson committed the killings. The victims have not been named.

Carlson is being held in jail without bond.