Teacher who bailed felon out of jail is likely dead; authorities await medical examiner’s results after finding body: Police

On Friday, Arizona authorities said they found human remains that are likely of a kindergarten teacher who disappeared shortly after she bailed a man with a long criminal history out of jail.

CBS reports that the roommates of Cathryn Gorospe contacted police on Oct. 6 after she failed to show up after leaving to bail 27-year-old Charlie Malzahn out of jail. Authorities said she was likely in a relationship with the him or at perhaps had a previous relationship with him.

Gorospe was a teacher at Arrowhead Elementary School in north Glendale.

On Friday, Sgt. Cory Runge of the Flagstaff Police Department said the body of a female was indeed discovered, but authorities aren’t releasing any additional details, aside that it is likely Gorospe. They’re currently awaiting results from the medical examiner’s office for confirmation.

Prior to discovering what’s likely the teacher’s remains, detectives questioned Malzahn, who reportedly refused to tell them where Gorospe was or when he had last seen her. Since the beginning of her disappearance, police felt Malzahn knew more than he was willing to tell.

“We do believe foul play has been afoot, and Mr. Malzahn is a primary suspect,” Flagstaff police spokesman Cory Runge told CBS.

Malzahn had been in jail since August for theft and weapons charges. He allegedly pointed a gun at his own sister, ordered her and her children out of her vehicle, and left them stranded on Interstate 10 as he sped away.

“He’s a monster,” the suspect’s younger sister, Lauren Mossman, said on social media, according to Arizona Daily Sun.

On Monday, authorities spotted Malzahn driving Gorospe’s SUV. After a high-speed chase, he crashed the vehicle, and police detained him before he could escape. He was arrested on unrelated charges. A day before his arrest, he was accused of assaulting a student at Arizona State University on Sunday night.

Authorities also said the suspect used Gorospe’s debit card to purchase items at the mall, according to Time.

Although it hasn’t been confirmed whether the suspect and the victim were in a relationship, Rebel Grimm, manager of the Canyon Club cocktail bar in Williams, said the they would often visit the establishment and have drinks on the outdoor patio. Grimm claimed that the pair met each other at the cocktail bar.

“They met about four months ago when Charlie came back home. You would see them outside having drinks and they seemed like really good friends.”

Other patrons of the bar confirmed they also saw the pair together.

The story is still developing. Check back with CrimeOnline as additional detail become available.

[Feature Photo: Police Handout]