Submerged body positively identified as homicide suspect Dunnan

The body found behind the wheel of a submerged vehicle in May has now been identified as the vehicle’s owner, Brian Dunnan, who was wanted for homicide after the death of Johnny Beckham over a year ago.

Beckham was killed by gunshot on June 29th, 2021 at his home on Dreamy Lake north of Parker. Dunnan was quickly identified as a person of interest, and later the only suspect, in Beckham’s death.

Dunnan was not found in the weeks after Beckham’s death, with wanted posters circulating, searches including by helicopter and partnerships with other agencies. His 2004 black Range Rover was a focal point, as it still had not been located 10 months later.

On May 26th, 2022, Dunnan’s vehicle was located submerged in the Colorado River north of BlueWater Resort & Casino. The La Paz County Dive team responded with the Colorado River Indian Tribe Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Divers determined that the vehicle contained a severely decomposed body and the FBI took it for DNA testing. On Wednesday the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office was notified by the Bureau that the decedent had been positively identified as Brian Dunnan.

“In the days following the recovery there were numerous rumors that the body located inside the vehicle was bound, restrained and possibly shot,” said La Paz County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy David Gray. “The Sheriff’s Office can now confirm that those rumors are untrue. It is undetermined at this time if the final cause of death will be ruled as accidental or suicide. The FBI and CRIT Police remain the investigating agencies involving the death of Dunnan.”