By admin 
LITCHFIELD PARK, AZ (AZFamily) — A newly released police report details a son’s concerning behavior leading up to the shocking discovery of his parents’ bodies buried behind a Litchfield Park home.
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On Aug. 4, a family member called 911 and said he had not heard from the two victims, Hector and Larissa Flores, since July 29, and they were not answering their phones. The concerned caller met officers outside the home and permitted them to go inside, but did not want to go in out of fear of “what police would find in the home.”
After authorities searched the home and couldn’t find the couple or their son, 27-year-old Matthew Christopher Flores Semyonov, a missing persons investigation was launched. Though part of the police report remains redacted regarding the initial sweep of the home, Avondale Officer Daniel Benavidez revealed at a previous press conference that investigators discovered large amounts of blood and signs of an attempted clean-up — both pointing to foul play.
Authorities believe Flores Semyonov fled the country before officers searched the home and consider him a suspect in his parents’ deaths.
The report details how several family members attempted to reach the couple, but found it odd they were not responding to calls or texts.
Avondale police interviewed the family member who initially requested the welfare check. He revealed that Flores Semyonovs’ behavior “changed a great deal in college,” a portion of the report says. He reported that Flores discovered his father had been cheating on his mother, and was upset with his mother that she had not left him.
The report says that once Flores Semyonov finished college, he moved back in with his parents and his lifestyle changed “completely.” The family member told authorities that Flores Semyonov stopped drinking alcohol and began making vague, threatening comments, such as “you’ll get what’s coming to you,” documents detail.
Family members reportedly noticed Flores Semyonov stopped socializing and was diagnosed with an unknown mental health condition, redacted in the police report. However, one account described an incident where Flores Semyonov’s mother reportedly found him watering plants in the middle of the night because “the plants told me [Matthew] they were thirsty,” documents state.
Expert discusses Matthew’s mental health
Michael Klinkner is a mental health expert. He believes Matthew’s mental health struggles may have been brewing for years. Klinkner said it’s impossible to diagnose someone he’s never met, but he can read between the lines.
“We’re talking about potentially positive auditory hallucinations. And in that case, it could be schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder,” he said. “So no matter what the situation is, whether he’s a psychopath, whether he’s a sociopath, whether it’s schizophrenia or any other diagnosis, this is a really scary situation and this is a really scary person. And so he has nothing to lose at this point and he knows it,” Klinkner said.
The family member couldn’t think of where Flores Semyonov would go, noting that he had “no close friends or relatives.” He added that the couple would sometimes leave, but not without telling family.
Officers requested a “ping” of all three’s cellphones, but discovered that they were turned off and couldn’t be located.
The risks the suspect faces
“He’ll be caught. I say that as an absolute, he will be, especially with the mental illness that we’re discussing,” said Jeff Hynes, retired Phoenix Police commander. “My worry for Matthew is that he’s going to do harm to himself.”
“Could he be feeling a ton of remorse? It’s possible and could voices or whatever else, inanimate objects, be telling him to do something to himself? That’s often very common. And so is there a possibility that he could do something to himself or already has done something to himself and that’s why he can’t be found? That’s a real high possibility,” said Klinkner.
Last Thursday, two bodies were discovered as authorities were digging in the backyard. Avondale police said the two victims were found “in a state of decomposition” in two shallow graves.
A representative for the family released the following statement regarding the deaths:
“The Flores Semyonov family is devastated by recent events. They are fully cooperating with law enforcement. Because this is an ongoing investigation, the family respectfully asks for privacy during this difficult time. Their deepest gratitude is extended to their loved ones, neighbors, and the community at large who have expressed concern.”
Manhunt extends across borders
Investigators have confirmed they believe Flores has fled the United States, though they have not disclosed his suspected destination or how they determined he left the country.
The U.S. Marshals Service District of Arizona is leading the international fugitive hunt for Flores Semyonov, as federal agents secured a federal warrant to charge him with unlawful flight to avoid prosecution.
Retired FBI agent John Iannarelli said the involvement of the FBI and U.S. Marshals significantly expands the scope of the manhunt.
“The FBI has pretty far reaches, contacts with foreign law enforcement,” Iannarelli said. “They can leverage all that to help find this subject and bring them back to the U.S.”
Iannarelli said Flores Semyonov cannot safely use any form of identification, including his passport or driver’s license, because those documents are now flagged in law enforcement systems.
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“He’s not going to be able to use his passport because that passport’s going to be in the system, as will his driver’s license number,” Iannarelli said. “Any official contact he has with anyone with any sort of ID is going to tip them off and that’s what’s going to get him arrested.”
That also makes obtaining legitimate employment nearly impossible, Iannarelli said.
Beyond identification, Iannarelli said simply being an American abroad could work against Flores.
“He’s going to stand out in a crowd because he’s not going to look like the local population,” Iannarelli said. “Does he speak the language? All of that is going to be a hindrance. He may have fled law enforcement in the short term, but in the long term, he’s going to get caught.”
Iannarelli also said any network of people willing to shelter Flores would carry its own risks.
“The problem with being overseas or perhaps in Mexico, you have to have people there willing to help you and are willing to risk getting in trouble with the law themselves,” he said.
Flores Semyonov is described as a White man with blue eyes. He is six feet tall and weighs roughly 177 pounds.
Anyone with information regarding Flores Semyonov’s whereabouts is asked to contact the U.S. Marshals Service’s 24-hour tip line at 1-877-WANTED2 (1-877-926-8332) or submit a tip through the USMS Tips App or at www.usmarshals.gov/tips. Tips can be submitted anonymously.
Officials say Flores Semyonov should be considered dangerous. The public should not approach or try to apprehend him. Instead, contact law enforcement if he’s seen.
Parents remembered
Hector Flores was an associate professor at Cal Poly Pomona. The school sent a statement to Arizona’s Family, saying Flores will be remembered for his contributions and commitment to students.
Dear CBA colleagues,
It is with great sadness that I share the passing of Dr. Hector Flores, Associate Professor in the Department of Management and Human Resources at Cal Poly Pomona.
Dr. Flores joined Cal Poly Pomona in Fall 2015 as an Assistant Professor. He earned his Ph.D. in Strategic Management from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and his MBA from Columbia University. During his academic career at CPP, he taught courses in strategic management, senior project, and internship, and conducted research and published in the field of strategic management.
Beyond his contributions as a scholar and educator, Dr. Flores was a strong advocate for faculty rights and shared governance. He served as a senator in the CPP Academic Senate and as the MHR representative for the California Faculty Association, CPP Chapter. He also contributed his time and expertise to numerous university and department committees, including the scholarship committee, faculty search committees, assessment committees, the vision and culture committee, and the temporary faculty evaluation committee.
Before beginning his academic career, Dr. Flores spent more than a decade with International Paper, where he held numerous leadership positions. His last position with the company was General Manager of Temple-Inland in Phoenix, Arizona, a wholly owned subsidiary of International Paper. His extensive industry experience brought valuable practical perspectives to his teaching, research, and service at Cal Poly Pomona.
Dr. Flores made meaningful contributions to our students, faculty, department, and the CBA. He will be remembered not only for his academic and professional accomplishments, but also for his commitment to faculty advocacy, shared governance, and the Cal Poly Pomona community.
He will be deeply missed by his colleagues, students, and friends.
Please join us in remembering Dr. Hector Flores and extending our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. We are awaiting more information about any memorial services and will share when it becomes available.
Circle The City, a Valley homelessness outreach organization, said Larissa Flores was a psychiatric nurse practitioner linked to the organization. The also sent a statement expressing sadness over their colleague’s death.
It is with profound sadness that we share the loss of our beloved colleague, Larissa Flores. We are devastated by this news, and our deepest condolences are with Larissa’s family, friends, and all who loved her. Larissa was a cherished member of our Circle the City family. She loved her patients deeply and made a lasting difference in their lives, meeting them with compassion, warmth, and dignity every single day. Her impact will be felt for years to come, and she will be profoundly missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside her.
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