Arizona has no shortage of beautiful hiking spots, but lately, one of its most famous outdoor landmarks is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. South Mountain Park and Preserve in Phoenix, usually known for its scenic trails and jaw-dropping views, is back in the news after yet another unsettling discovery. Human remains were found in a remote section of the mountain.
Arizona police say the call came in late Sunday night from a hiker who stumbled upon the remains near 35th Avenue and Ansell Road. By Monday morning, homicide detectives had been flown up to investigate, but the rough terrain and bad weather meant they couldn’t retrieve the body right away, per KTAR.
It wasn’t until Wednesday morning that officers, with help from park rangers, firefighters, and the medical examiner’s office, brought the remains down for evaluation. Officials aren’t calling it foul play just yet, in fact, they’re saying there were no immediate signs of it, but that hasn’t stopped Arizona residents from raising eyebrows.
Arizona Residents Worry About Something Sinister After Human Remains Are Discovered
“I swear something is going on in AZ,” one local wrote on TikTok, echoing the growing feeling that this isn’t just an isolated incident. And honestly, it’s hard to ignore the pattern. This isn’t South Mountain’s first grim headline, far from it. In July 2024, another set of remains was discovered near a trail. Just a few months later in December, a different body turned up near the National Trail. Even earlier, in January 2023, a skull was found and later identified. That’s a lot of bodies for one hiking area in such a short time.
For some, the news brings back unsettling personal memories. “I visited South Mountain once in my life and some dude was stalking my ex and I on our hike. DO NOT GO THERE,” one person warned. Another pointed out a deeper, cultural layer to the story: “South Mountain is actually a sacred mountain to the natives, a lot of bad things stay up in the mountains.”
Is There Something Creepy Going On At South Mountain?
Whether you chalk it up to coincidence, bad luck, or something more eerie, the reality is that South Mountain’s recent track record has left many questioning just how safe it really is. “Dude, it’s Arizona. Of course something’s going on,” one commenter said bluntly, and given the circumstances, that sentiment is hard to argue with.
As police wait for results from the Maricopa County Forensic Science Center, hikers might be thinking twice about their weekend plans. Because when a trail becomes a crime scene again and again, it’s only natural for Arizona locals to wonder what’s really going on in those mountains.
Kendra Quinn 
Casey James 
