A 70-year-old Oklahoma man is behind bars after an Eloy police officer found a dead body in his car during a traffic stop.
Authorities say the officer stopped Rodney Puckett in the area of Toltec Road and Interstate 10 on Monday. While the officer was talking to Puckett, he noticed the body of a dead woman sitting in the passenger seat.
Police say the woman was identified as Rodney’s wife, 74-year-old Linda Puckett. Rodney told investigators Linda died at a hotel in Texas during the couple’s road trip. He said he moved her body into the car and continued towards their destination.
Linda’s body was turned over to the Pinal County Medical Examiner to determine cause of death, police said. The Eloy Police Department is working with Texas authorities to determine if Linda's death was a result of homicide.
Rodney was booked into Pinal County Jail for Abandonment or Concealment of a Body.
Police say the investigation is ongoing and additional charges may be filed later.
