An Arizona man described as ‘manipulative and charismatic’ has been charged with killing the roommate he befriended to obtain housing, according to police.
Matthew Dieringer, 35, was arrested on Saturday for the brutal murder of the roommate who kindly took him in.
Scottsdale Police were called to do a welfare check on Frank Quaranta, 67, on September 1, and found him dead from apparent blunt force trauma.
‘Responding officers were unable to contact the victim any other way and forced entry inside the residence to check on Quaranta,’ police said.
‘Tragically, Quaranta was found deceased inside. Detectives and crime scene specialists spent the next several hours processing the home for evidence.’
Investigators said evidence at the scene pointed to Dieringer, who was living with Quaranta after the two met at a church homeless outreach event, according to Fox 10.
‘He has a history of experiencing homelessness, and has been described as manipulative and charismatic, often befriending others to assist him with a place to stay,’ Scottsdale Police said.
Police received a tip that Dieringer was spotted in Phoenix, and he was arrested on Saturday for a probation violation from a 2024 theft case, reported 12 News.
Matthew Dieringer (pictured), 35, was arrested on Saturday for the brutal murder of his roommate
Scottsdale Police were called to do a welfare check on Frank Quaranta, 67, on September 1 at his home (pictured), and found him dead from apparent blunt force trauma
Investigators said evidence at the scene pointed to Dieringer, who was ordered to be held at the Maricopa County Jail on a $3 million bond
‘That was what the initial arrest was for,’ said Scottsdale Police Sgt. Allison Sempsis.
‘He was taken to our jail, and we served a search warrant for forensic evidence, and so once we had that forensic evidence, it was able to tidy up any loose ends for the homicide.’
Dieringer made his first court appearance on Sunday, where a judge ordered him to be held at the Maricopa County Jail on a $3 million bond.
‘I believe that you are being given wrong information entirely about me and my name,’ Dieringer told the judge.
Prosecutors argued that they have strong evidence against him, including a presumptive DNA match to blood found at the crime scene.
‘The subject allegedly beat the victim to death. This was a very violent and horrific murder,’ said Brooke Gaunt of the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
Dieringer claimed the proceeding was ‘illegal,’ and ended the hearing with, ‘Thank you, sir. Actually, I don’t know if I should thank you, but God bless you and have God in your soul.’
Dieringer has a history of being homeless and criminal record, including a conviction for the horrific slaying of his roommate’s two dogs in Colorado.
In 2020, he pleaded guilty to killing and dismembering the two pups, a seven-year-old Australian Cattle dog named Suka and another black dog named Hayoka.
Dieringer (pictured in 2020) has a history of being homeless and criminal record, including killing two dogs
In 2020, Dieringer was convicted of brutally killing and dismembering his roommate’s two dogs in Colorado
When the dogs owner called for a welfare check at the mobile home he shared with Dieringer, police discovered the walls covered in blood, reported KRDO.
Trixie Hudspeth, Teller County Sheriff’s Office Animal Control Officer, said, ‘The scene we went into was difficult.’
According to court records obtained by Law and Crime, he received credit for 705 days served after being given an 18 month prison sentence for the brutal animal abuse and the moved to Arizona.
