FT. MOHAVE – A Mohave Valley man has been arrested for the death of his stepfather. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) investigation began Wednesday morning after a person conducted a welfare check at the home of Robert Kurowski, 45, in the 5800 block of Gazelle Dr. in Fort Mohave.

“The caller found the residence was locked and observed blankets covering windows to the home,” said MCSO spokeswoman Anita Mortensen. “The concerned citizen entered the home through a window and observed blood and a strong odor, so they exited the residence and called 9-1-1.”

Mortensen said deputies discovered Kurowski inside the home and determined his death to be a homicide. She said the victim’s vehicle was missing, considered to be stolen and was described in an attempt to locate communication issued to other law enforcement agencies.

After it was spotted in the area, deputies tried to stop the vehicle, but James Rosario Downing, 22, Mohave Valley refused and ended up crashing in a wash east of Mohave Valley, according to Mortensen. He was taken into custody at the scene.

“Downing was interviewed by detectives and admitted his involvement in the death of Robert Kurowski,” Mortensen said. Downing is held in the Adult Detention Center for second degree murder and unlawful flight charges.

Dave Hawkins