Arizona girl, 8, was strangled; police investigating possible rape

An 8-year-old girl who was found in a shallow grave in Arizona after she disappeared from her family’s home was strangled, and police are reviewing the possibility that she was sexually assaulted, officials said on Friday.

The Mohave County medical examiner ruled that Isabella Grogan-Cannella died of asphyxiation caused by strangulation after she disappeared from her family’s Bullhead City home with 26-year-old Justin James Rector.

Isabella’s body was found in a shallow grave near her family’s home on Wednesday morning, police said. Rector, a family friend who had been staying at the victim’s house, was charged with murder and kidnapping in Isabella’s death.

A criminal complaint against Rector has yet to be filed, and the Mohave County attorney’s office did not respond to requests for comment Friday.

Emily Fromelt, public information officer for the Bullhead City Police Department, told the Los Angeles Times on Friday that police are investigating the possibility that Isbaella was sexually assaulted. According to court records, the girl was not wearing pants or underwear when police found her body.

Bullhead City Police Chief Brian Williamson has said additional arrests or further charges against Rector have not been ruled out. He is expected to appear in court on Sept. 12, according to court records.

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