PHOENIX — A suspect was arrested in connection with the decomposing body of a man that was found near the Grand Canal in east Phoenix earlier this week, authorities said.

Bryan Flores Barrientos, 23, was taken into custody on Tuesday night on a charge of second-degree murder, according to the Phoenix Police Department.

The body found on Monday morning was identified as 48-year-old Efrin Victor Evangelista.

Why was Barrientos arrested in connection with the decomposing body?

Officers responded to the area of 36th and Poland streets around 11:45 a.m. on Monday and were directed by witnesses to a body near the canal. Evangelista’s remains were in the early stages of decomposition and had obvious signs of trauma, police said.

Detectives collected evidence and canvassed the area, speaking

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