Missing Phoenix yoga instructor found dead after going on blind date

A Phoenix yoga instructor who was reported missing while going on a blind date in February was found dead.

Marcus Freiberger, a 45-year-old Prescott transplant, was last seen at a parking garage near Second Avenue and Van Buren Street on Feb. 21 while traveling to a date with someone he had never met.

Friends and family reported his disappearance quickly after realizing he left his dog alone in his apartment.

Phoenix police said officers received the report that Freiberger was missing on March 14, and he was entered into the state and national database as a missing person. Police said they found no leads or evidence that he had left town or fell victim to any particular crime.

On March 19, police found his body at a rock quarry near 15th Avenue and Broadway Road after responding to a call. The Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office was able to identify the body as Freiberger’s.

“It is with a heavy heart that I share the tragic news that Marcus is no longer with us,” said Tina Hall, Freiberger’s sister, in a Facebook post. “We thank all of you for the love and support you have given Marcus and our family.”

At the time of his disappearance, he was driving a white 2021 GMC Sierra pickup with an Arizona license plate. It is not yet known if the vehicle has been recovered.

Freiberger was an instructor at Melrose Yoga in Phoenix.

His father, Rodger Freiberger, said they have been working with police to find out what happened to their son.

“We just want to know what happened. Marcus was a great kid. He was truly loved by a lot of people. The amount of shares on Facebook on his missing person’s report. If you go and read the comments, it’s amazing how many people knew Marcus,” Rodger Freiberger said. “I don’t know if he had any issues going on, not sure what led to the disappearance. It’s very strange. Hopefully they’ll investigate and come up with something.”

As of March 25, Freiberger’s case was being treated as a death investigation with the cause of death still to be determined by the Medical Examiner’s Office.

Detectives are asking the public for help regarding the circumstances of Freiberger’s disappearance and death. Witnesses are encouraged to call CrimeStop at 602-262-6151 or Silent Witness if they wish to remain anonymous at 480-WITNESS or 480-TESTIGO for Spanish.

(This story has been updated to add more information.)

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Missing Phoenix yoga instructor found dead after going on blind date