Authorities identify remains found buried in Kingman, Ariz., backyard

By DAVE HAWKINS SPECIAL TO THE LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

8 years ago

Mohave County authorities began excavating the backyard of a Kingman, Arizona, home on Monday, Aug. 29, 2016, where a homicide victim might be buried. (Dave Hawkins/Special to Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Homeowners in Kingman, Arizona, have learned a homicide victim was buried in the property they purchased in April 2016. (Dave Hawkins/Special to Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Richard Polaski (Mohave County Sherrif’s Office via the Associated Press)

KINGMAN, Ariz. — The Mohave County medical examiner has identified human remains recovered from a residential burial site on Aug. 29.

Sheriff’s office spokeswoman Trish Carter said dental records confirm the remains to be those of John Holland, a 65-year-old Kingman man who disappeared more than a year ago.

Carter said the coroner also determined that Holland was a homicide victim who died of multiple stab wounds.

The findings confirm information provided by Richard Polaski, a 63-year-old Kingman man who said he stabbed Holland in late June 2015 before placing the body in the backyard of Holland’s home and covering it with concrete. Polaski, who told authorities where Holland was buried, is in jail for first-degree murder.

Polaski also told police that he and at least one other party conspired to forge documents to gain power of attorney and control over Holland’s assets, including the Lass Avenue residence where his body was recovered. Authorities continue investigating the fraudulent financial activity.