PHOENIX, AZ – New details have emerged in a West Valley murder case following the arrest of three suspects over the weekend. The crime, described as “brutal” in court documents, was committed against 30-year-old Bernardo Pantaleon on November 26.

Manuel Carrasco Calderon, 21, Jose David Rodriguez, 20, and Leonardo Santiago, 21, have been implicated in the death of Pantaleon, whose body was discovered in a desert area northeast of a public park. The victim’s body was reportedly shot multiple times and mutilated postmortem with a sharp-edged object, chilling details released in a probable cause statement suggest.

Investigators linked the suspects to the crime through graphic photographs of Pantaleon’s mutilated body sent to his family from a social media account believed to be Rodriguez’s. An additional trail of evidence included a group chat where participants planned the murder, seeking updates and sharing their desires to have been involved. Among their chats, some included derogatory remarks regarding Pantaleon’s sexuality, and there were indications of gang affiliation with references such as “XV” and “15” in their usernames.

Phoenix Police arrested Carrasco, Rodriguez, and Santiago on December 2 after gathering substantial digital evidence. All three have been charged by authorities with Assisting a Criminal Street Gang. Carrasco also faces charges for Conspiracy to Commit 1st Degree Murder and Crimes Against a Dead Person, whereas Santiago is charged with 1st Degree Murder and Conspiracy to Commit Crimes Against a Dead Person. Rodriguez faces a charge of Conspiracy to Commit Crimes Against a Dead Person as well.

Upon arrest, Carrasco and Sanchez reportedly admitted to being aware of the murder plot but failed to intervene. They discussed the details leading up to the act, including the timing and location, and acknowledged circulating photos and videos of the crime.

Ultimately, all three were involved in various capacities, with Santiago admitting to being present at the time of the mutilation, claiming it was the idea of an unidentified person mentioned in court documents.

The bail set by a judge is $1 million for Carrasco, $2 million for Santiago, and $500,000 for Rodriguez. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for all three on December 12, as the community reels from the gravity of the allegations and the horrific nature of the crime committed.