Remains of possible homicide victim recovered from Kingman backyard

KINGMAN, Ariz. — The remains of a suspected homicide victim were recovered from under a slab of concrete and dirt in the backyard of a north Kingman home Monday night.

The remains believed to be those of John Holland, 65, were transported to the medical examiner’s office for positive identification and cause of death determinations, according to the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office.

Public works and sheriff’s personnel began cutting and breaking up concrete at the home in the 3700 block of Lass Avenue early Monday. The first body part was located shortly after 6 p.m. The coroner was summoned to the scene to coordinate the recovery effort which was completed about 9 p.m.

Kingman is about 103 miles southeast of Las Vegas.

A failed suicide attempt in Laughlin by Richard Polaski, 63, of Kingman, prompted his confession that he stabbed and killed Holland during a June 2015 argument, according to the Sheriff’s Office.

Court records indicate Polaski told authorities he put Holland’s body in a hole in the backyard of the Lass Avenue property and covered it with 3 feet of concrete.

Polaski is being held in the county jail in Kingman on a first-degree murder charge. Prosecutor Jonathan Taylor said additional charges are contemplated pending completion of an investigation.

Polaski told authorities that a woman helped him forge documents to gain power of attorney to assume control of Holland’s assets, including a trust account, residential property and vehicles, according to court records.

Taylor said no one else has been charged in the case.

Polaski’s lawyer, Robin Puchek, declined to comment.