Pot discovered at property of rancher found shot, killed

Reported by: Christina Boomer
Last Update: 4/07 10:55 pm

DOUGLAS, AZ -- On Wednesday Border Patrol confirmed that the day before an Arizona rancher was found murdered they had seized 290 pounds of marijuana and apprehended eight Mexican nationals on the property.

Robert Krentz, 58, was found shot and killed last month on his ranch about 35 miles northeast of Douglas.

Border Patrol spokesman Omar Candelaria said all eight Mexican nationals were in custody at the time of Krentz's murder.

It is unknown at this time if Krentz knew that the drugs were on his land, or whether the discovery is connected to his murder.

The Arizona Cattle Growers' Association is offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for the southern Arizona rancher's death.

Krentz reportedly sped away in his all-terrain vehicle after being shot, the Cochise County Sheriff's Office said Monday.

As part of a campaign news release talking about immigration, the office of Senate candidate JD Hayworth said Krentz was found shot to death after calling into his brother that he was giving aid to an apparent undocumented immigrant he found at one of his cattle watering holes.

While Krentz was still in his vehicle, mortally wounded, he managed to drive the ATV away from the scene at a high rate of speed before becoming unconscious, investigators said.

Foot tracks were identified and followed approximately 20 miles south to the Mexico border by sheriff's deputies, U.S. Border Patrol trackers and Department of Corrections dog chase teams, authorities said.

So far, there have been no suspects identified and no arrests.

U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz., whose Congressional district covers the area, issued a statement saying Krentz's killing is a horrible tragedy that deserves a swift and strong response.

"The cold-blooded killing of an Arizona rancher is a sad and sobering reminder of the threats to public safety that exist in our border communities," Giffords said. "It has not yet been determined who committed this atrocity or why, but I know that federal and local authorities are mobilizing every possible resource to locate and apprehend the assailant."

Giffords said if Krentz's killing is connected to drug cartels or smugglers, the federal government must respond appropriately.

"All options should be on the table, including sending more Border Patrol agents to the area and deploying the National Guard," Giffords said.

The Sheriff's Office said Krentz's body was transported to the Cochise County Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy to determine approximate time of death.

A motive for the killing has not been released by authorities.

According to an Arizona Cattlemen's Association news release, the Krentz family has been stewards of the land for over 100 years constantly adapting to the changing environment.

A memorial fund has been established for Robert Krentz at Wells Fargo Bank.

Anyone that would like to donate can do so at any Wells Fargo location, Account # 5560960899.

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