Backyard Discovery: 1 Arrested After Tip Leads Police To Buried Body In SE OKC

One person was arrested Wednesday, hours before police say they located a body buried in the backyard of a southeast Oklahoma City home.

The crime scene cleared 24 hours after police first got a call about a possible homicide in southeast Oklahoma City Tuesday night.

Following up on a tip fielded by Valley Brook police, Oklahoma City police responded to a home late Tuesday night near Southeast 59th Street and Bryant Avenue.

Shortly after, the area was surrounded by crime tape. “After they were given a tip that the possible victim was buried on the property,” said Oklahoma City Police Sgt. Dillon Quirk.

Police returned to the home early Wednesday morning. Dirt was later seen piled near a swing set, as tarps covered much of the home's backyard. 

“Police began excavating [Wednesday] morning around 9:30 a.m.,” said Quirk.

Crime scene investigators and the medical examiner carried buckets and digging tools into the debris-filled backyard. Several hours later a body was found. “One deceased person was found in the backyard at this residence,” said Quirk.

“Pretty crazy, it's alarming that's for sure,” said concerned neighbor Alfredo Rodriguez.

News 9’s cameras captured what appears to be a shallow grave near a shed.

“It's just crazy to think a neighbor could do such a thing you know,” said Rodriguez.

Police arrested Juan Lopez-Aldana on Wednesday, but were not able to provide details surrounding the victim. “We have not identified the victim at this point. there's still a lot of process to go through,” said Quirk.

The discovery left many neighbors concerned. “It's pretty unsettling, pretty scary, I mean I don't know if I even want to live in this neighborhood after this,” said concerned neighbor Michael Self.            

Neighbors told News 9 that Lopez-Aldana had only recently moved into the home.