By David Lohr
SEE INDICTMENT
April 10, 2007
TUSCON, Ariz. (Crime Library) — An anonymous tipster recently called the Pima County Attorney's tip line, and told the operator to have investigators search the Los Reales landfill for five-year-old Tyler Payne, a youngster who has been missing since February. His sister, 4-year-old Ariana Payne, was found dead at a local storage facility. The children's father, 28-year-old Christopher Payne, was arrested for her murder, and has also been indicted in Tyler's death.
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| Tyler Payne |
Police will not comment on what the tipster told them; however, they have said they believe the caller is credible. On April 6, the Tucson Police Department issued a press release announcing another search of the landfill.
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| Ariana and Tyler Payne |
"Detectives from the Tucson Police Department resumed a more extensive search of the Los Reales landfill this morning. Additional information and an anonymous tip received via 88-CRIME has prompted detectives to return to the landfill in hopes of finding evidence that could be used in the case."
Police spent three days searching the landfill. Fourteen investigators scoured the area, which covers two-thirds of an acre. Heavy equipment dug through mounds of dirt, and, at one point, cadaver dogs were brought in to assist. Despite their best efforts, investigators were unable to locate Tyler's remains.
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| Landfill search |
Tyler and Ariana's mother, Jamie Hallam, 30, is desperate to find her son's body so that he can be buried with his sister. In a statement released by Homicide Survivors, she wrote:
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| Jamie Hallam |
"To the person who called 88-Crime during the first week of March, I'm begging you to call again. You gave a tip that Tyler's body may have been disposed of with Ariana's. I need you to call again: the police need more information. Please help find my son. Ariana & Tyler were inseparable in life. They need to be together now."
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Christopher Payne Arrested for Murdering His Five-year-old Daughter, Ariana
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