Matthew Dieringer, the 35-year-old suspect in a brutal Scottsdale murder, is facing a first-degree murder charge after the Labor Day killing of 67-year-old Frank Quaranta. Details from court documents obtained by FOX 10 Phoenix shed light on the investigation, revealing that Dieringer refused to comply with a search warrant for his DNA and had to be restrained for a blood draw. The documents also describe Dieringer as having a history of resisting arrest and beliefs indicative of mental instability.
Shortly after Quaranta didn't show up for his job, police responded to a welfare check at his home, eventually forcing their way in to discover the victim deceased. Dieringer, described by some as "manipulative and charismatic," had been living with Quaranta for three months, after initially meeting at a church homeless cooling center. According to a statement obtained by ABC 15, Officer Aaron Bolin with the Scottsdale Police Department spoke of concerns raised by friends over Dieringer's behavior.
The case has drawn attention due to a previous conviction in Colorado, where Dieringer was found guilty of killing his roommate's dogs. This history contributed to the decision of setting a high bail, with Dieringer's preliminary hearing scheduled for September 16. As mentioned by ABC 15, Maricopa County Attorney's Office prosecutor Brooke Gaunt described the murder as "very violent and horrific" and emphasized the strong evidence against Dieringer, including a presumptive DNA match to blood found on the scene, according to court testimony.
According to ABC 15, during his initial court appearance, Dieringer challenged the allegations against him. "I believe you are being given the wrong information about me, entirely, and my name, and these proceedings are illegal," Dieringer told the judge as per the account from the courtroom. The judge, nevertheless, has set the bail at a $2 million cash-only bond, which, as explained by the Grand Canyon Law Group's website, would require the full bail amount in cash for Dieringer's release.
