2 Sentenced For 2019 Frank Bligh Murder In Tucson: Police

TUCSON, AZ — Two people were were sentenced to years in prison Friday for the 2019 murder of Frank Bligh, whose body was not found until January of this year, according to Tucson police.

Blane Barksdale was sentenced to 22 years in prison Friday after pleading guilty in December to second-degree murder. Susan Barksdale was sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter in November.

Police discovered that Bligh, a 72-year-old retiree and military veteran, was missing after an explosion and fire at his home in Tucson on April 16, 2019, according to police.

One of Bligh's vehicles was also missing from the garage.

During the investigation over the next several months, both Barksdales were arrested and charged in connection with Bligh's disappearance.

Bligh's remains were found on Jan. 4 deep in the Salt River Canyon on San Carlos Apache Reservation land in Gila County, according to Tucson police. On Jan. 12, the Office of the Medical Examiner confirmed that the remains belonged to Bligh.

Bligh's remains were recovered through collaborative efforts from the Pinetop Office of the FBI, the Gila County Sheriff’s Department, San Carlos Apache Police Department, San Carlos Apache Rangers and Tucson police, according to the Tucson Police Department.