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Police arrest suspect in South Shore man’s death

Adam Jensen
ajensen@tahoedailytribune.com

Police in Arizona have arrested a suspect in the killing of a South Shore man almost a year ago.

Vroury Manoukian, 23, was arrested May 31 and charged with second-degree murder in the death of 24-year-old Matthew McMaster, according to a Thursday statement from the Phoenix Police Department. It is unknown whether Manoukian has appeared in court or if he has an attorney.

McMaster’s body was found the morning of July 28 by firefighters dousing a brush fire near the intersection of Interstate 17 and Dixileta Drive in Phoenix. A witness told police an SUV drove away from the scene of the fire, the statement said.



An autopsy found McMaster was killed by blunt force trauma. Police determined the trauma was caused by Manoukian, according to the statement.

“The two lived together at a residence in the area of 2200 W. Rancho in Phoenix where the incident occurred,” police said. “Manoukian and another individual later disposed of the body and set it on fire in the desert, where it was discovered.”



McMasters’ body was tied to the remains of a love seat and other furniture items, according to the Associated Press, which also reported a search warrant was served on the home and police say blood stains were found in the back of the SUV registered to Manoukian. The blood stains were later matched to the victim, according to the news agency.

McMaster was born and raised at the South Shore. He moved to Arizona in April to attend motorcycle mechanic’s school, according to previous statements by McMaster’s father, South Lake Tahoe resident Barry McMaster. The 24-year-old planned on returning to the Tahoe area after finishing his education, Barry McMaster said.

The investigation into the case is ongoing.


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