Missing Scottsdale man Najib “Jubi” Monsif was found dead last week in Mesa after disappearing from his family's home in September.
In the weeks after the 20-year-old's disappearance, law enforcement and community members conducted multiple searches with no luck in locating him. However, officials on Tuesday said Monsif's remains were located at a canal pump station near Loop 202 Red Mountain and Power Road.
Police say they are still waiting on an official autopsy report, but foul play is not suspected in Monsif's death.
At a Tuesday press conference, officials said Monsif made statements to his family the day before he went missing that he'd "never see them again."
A Scottsdale police spokesperson says Monsif's remains were found on Dec. 7 by a Central Arizona Project worker 11 miles from his home near a canal pump station. The canal runs behind Monsif's family home, and police believe he may have accessed the area through a gap in the canal's stretch of fencing.
"We are heartbroken, this is not the outcome we were hoping for," said Scottsdale police spokesman Aaron Bolin.
Monsif was considered an at-risk missing person due to autism and police said he had the mental capacity of a child. He had left his home on foot and left his phone behind, family said.
ABC15 spoke with Monsif's father a month after his disappearance who said he was heartbroken that his son was missing.
"Since Najib left, there's nothing beautiful anymore," he said.
