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The Phoenix Gazette: December 4, 1989

Body of slain boy, 4, discovered in desert

A 4-year-old Phoenix boy was found shot to death Sunday, and the boy's mother was one of three people arrested for first-degree murder, police said.

The body of Christopher Milke was discovered about 5 p.m. Sunday in a desert area just off 99th Avenue between Happy Valley and Jomax Road.

Christopher was reported missing by Jim Styers, a family friend, who told authorities the boy disappeared about 2 p.m. Saturday from a bathroom at the Sears store at Metro Center.

Police arrested Styers and Roger Mark Scott, 41, of the 4800 block of West Bethany Home Road, shortly after 5 p.m. Sunday, Hill said.

Christopher's mother, Debbie, age unavailable, was, picked up between 8 and 9 p.m. in Florence, where she had gone Sunday morning to be with her parents. Styers said Milke went there because she was upset over her son's disappearance.

Hill said all three have made statements to police. Investigators said they believe they have a motive in the slaying but would not disclose it.

Hill said they believe the boy probably was murdered where his body was found. He said the gun used had not been recovered.

Police did not reveal how many times the boy had been shot or where.

Christopher and his mother lived with Styers at the Palo Verde Gardens apartment complex in the 7700 block of north 12th St.

Authorities combed Metro Center and the surrounding area Saturday and Sunday for Christopher. At one point, search dogs were called in.

After being questioned by police, Styers, 42, had told reporters early Sunday afternoon that he and Christopher went to Metro Center, where Christopher had hoped to see Santa Claus, and that the boy was lost in the mall men's room.

Styers said he had notified Sears and Metro Center security personnel, who searched the mall. Phoenix police were notified about 4:20 p.m. Saturday.

Styers told reporters he was worried about Christopher's well-being and did not want to think the worst. When asked what message he wanted to tell anyone who might have Christopher, Styers replied : "Just take care of him and get him back to us."

Styers said he could not remember all the details surrounding Christopher's disappearance because he suffers from a memory problem caused by a service-connected illness. Styers said he served in Vietnam in the Marine Corps and suffers from post traumatic stress syndrome.

Hill said there were numerous inconsistencies in the trio's stories relating to Christopher's disappearance. He said police were unable to place Christopher in Metro Center, although Styers and Scott had been there.

Investigators impounded Debbie Milke's car, a 1986 white Toyota Corolla, which she had allowed Styers to drive.

The complex is the same one in which a 16-year-old baby-sitter disappeared with a baby Friday. That baby was discovered unharmed the same day. Police believe there is no connection between the two incidents.

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