Sheriff Jerry Sheridan of Maricopa County said Friday that the case of Bernadette Greene-Placentia, the Democratic candidate for Arizona's 8th Congressional District, who has reported being sexually assaulted, "remains open and active," and that detectives have not yet determined exactly where the attack took place.
Greene-Placentia has spoken publicly about the assault. She has said she was by herself before dawn on Aug. 14, repairing campaign signs in Sun City near 99th Avenue and Bell Road, when someone struck her head and she blacked out, ABC15 and Arizona's Family reported.
She told investigators that two men she did not know assaulted her, and she went to the sheriff's office a few weeks afterward, according to a police report Arizona's Family obtained.
What the sheriff said
In a statement released Friday afternoon and quoted by Arizona's Family, Phoenix New Times and ABC15, Sheridan said the possible location covers a wide stretch, running from the area around that intersection up toward Anthem.
"Understandably, the victim has limited recollection of the events, which has presented investigators with challenges in narrowing down the location," Sheridan said, according to Arizona's Family.
The sheriff said detectives have canvassed that area for surveillance footage and other evidence. They are also reviewing data from her phone and vehicle for any GPS records, with the goal of tracing her movements that night and shrinking the search area, he said. Phoenix New Times reported the statement also said detectives have interviewed people close to Greene-Placentia.
Sheridan said his office is limiting what it releases. "While we understand the community's interest and desire for answers, protecting the integrity of the investigation is equally important," he said, according to Phoenix New Times.
The statement, as reported by the three outlets, did not announce an arrest or name a suspect. Arizona's Family described the two men as unidentified in its Oct. 20 report.
Candidate and opponent
"I appreciate the efforts of MCSO and recognize the investigation is ongoing," Greene-Placentia told Phoenix New Times by text after the update.
