Skeletal remains found near historic Tovrea Castle in Phoenix. What to know

The demolition of a home on the Tovrea Castle property near 50th and Van Buren streets was put on pause after skeletal remains were discovered.

Phoenix police said they responded to a report of a dead body just before noon on May 8 near 50th and Van Buren streets.

Officers arrived and learned of the plans to demolish a nearby house when the remains were found.

Phoenix police said more information regarding the identity of the person found and their manner of death would be determined through an examination by the Maricopa County Office of the Medical Examiner.

Phoenix police released no additional information.

Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights was built as a resort destination in the late 1920s in what is now metro Phoenix. However, it ended up being a private residence. Now owned by the city of Phoenix and operated by Tovrea Carraro Society, the castle is a four-story, 5,000-square-foot architectural wonder on a 40-acre property, according to its website. It opened to the public in 2012 and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

On Jan. 22, Phoenix police say two men were seen on surveillance video breaking into the castle, damaging the front doors and breaking light fixtures. The castle has been damaged several times in the past. In 2023, a man was charged with burglary and criminal damage after breaking in and causing an estimated $50,000 in damages.

Republic reporters Laura Daniella Sepulveda and Jose R. Gonzalez contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Skeletal remains found near Tovrea Castle in Phoenix