Dismembered Remains Identified As Suspected Killer's Mother

Updated 8:48 a.m.

CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) The horrifying discovery of human remains found in a suspected killer's vehicle have been identified as his own mother.

Ari Misha Liggett from Centennial is suspected of killing his mother, Beverly Liggett. The Arapahoe County Coroner identified the 56-year-old's remains on Thursday afternoon.

Liggett, 24, was arrested early Wednesday morning after trying to run away from deputies.

Deputies began their investigation on Monday after family members reported that two people, Beverly and Ari, who both lived at the home at 6223 East Parkview Avenue, were missing.

Investigators with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's office attempted to locate the pair and tracked their activity through credit card transactions to the Western Slope during the early morning on Tuesday.

At about 1:30 a.m. Wednesday, deputies watched the vehicle associated with Liggett and his mother being driven through the neighborhood close to their home. Deputies were not able to make contact with the vehicle at that time.

Just 20 minutes later, an officer with the Greenwood Village Police Department saw the vehicle and attempted to conduct a traffic stop. The driver, Liggett, eluded police and then crashed his car at East Orchard and South Dayton Street. No other vehicles were involved.

Liggett ran away from the crash scene. The officer caught up to him after a short distance where he was taken into custody.

Liggett remains in custody at the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office Detention Facility without bond pending the filing of first-degree murder charges. Liggett originally told the interviewing officers he had found his mother dead in the living room after she committed suicide.

Investigators then found the dismembered remains of a deceased adult female in the back seat of the vehicle that was driven by Liggett. Those remains were positively identified as those of Beverly on Thursday. During the investigation of the house they also found traces of blood in the freezer and bathtub.

"There's no words to describe what could really bring somebody to do that," said neighbor Brett Wilbur. "I don't understand how that's possible in the first place. There's got to be some sort of mental illness, I pray God just has mercy on his soul."

When contacted about the incident, Air Liggett's father told CBS4 his son "absolutely" had mental health issues.

The Sheriff's department told CBS 4 they have had interactions with the suspect for years and he was currently on probation for carrying a silencer.

Investigators continue to search Liggett's home to collect and analyze evidence that may be used in the investigation. That search has been complicated after suspected potassium cyanide was discovered inside the home.

The area around the home was cordoned off for several hours on Tuesday evening while the liquid was removed.

No evacuations have been ordered in the neighborhood surrounding Liggett's home. Deputies said the liquid has been contained and is not a threat to surrounding homes.

Charges are expected Tuesday.