Larry David Petersen, 73, a Cottonwood resident who was reported missing since 12:23 p.m. on May 25, was found deceased on Aug. 14.
Petersen’s last known location was on State Route 89A and Cornville Road, leaving the Cottonwood area toward Sedona, driving a white 2007 Ford Explorer. CPD and the Arizona Department of Public Safety issued a silver alert in an attempt to help locate Petersen.
Law enforcement conducted at least two searches by helicopter and airplane, and additional searches by ATV and drone, according to Petersen’s daughter Hollie Petersen Bellovary.
The Cottonwood Police Investigations Unit responded to a desert area near Sedona on Aug. 14 to assist the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office with a death investigation, according to CPD Sgt. Chad Sinn.
A vehicle belonging to Petersen was found at the scene, which off of a finger road leading off of Bill Gray Road, according to his family, who was notified about the discovery.
The deceased person was thought to be Petersen, Sinn stated Aug. 16, though CPD awaited official identification from the Yavapai County Medical Examiner to confirm the identity due to the state of decomposition. Additional methods were being used to positively identify the remains.
Sinn stated Aug. 21 that the Yavapai County Medical Examiner confirmed the remains found were that of Petersen.
“Wanted to thank you for your posting help for finding Larry my wife’s father,” Petersen’s son-in-law Tony Bellovary wrote in an email Aug. 17. “We have some sad news to pass along.”
“With a heavy heart, our journey of looking for my father, Larry Petersen has ended,” his daughter stated in the email. “He was found [Aug. 14], deceased by some hikers and their dogs.”
“He was found in a tent and foul play doesn’t seem to be a factor,” Petersen’s daughter wrote. “At this time we don’t have any answers or know if he had any medical issues from recent dental procedures. We cannot thank everyone enough for their ideas, their own personal searches, support and many prayers.
“Prayers to others who are still searching for their missing person.”
Larry David Petersen
[1951-2024]
Larry David Petersen, 73, was born Aug. 2, 1951, in Oshkosh, Wisc., to Floyd and Betty Petersen. He was a graduate of Columbus High School in Marshfield, Wisc.
In 1971 he married Janet “Jan” Hoffman and lived in Germany together while he served in the U.S. Army. Larry was best known as “Toolman Larry” in Marshfield, Wisc., and Cottonwood, because he was a gifted handyman. He and Jan lived in AZ for the past 13 years, where he enjoyed hiking, riding his ATV, camping and taking pictures of sunsets and scenery.
Larry also enjoyed shopping at Menard’s and Ace Hardware in Cottonwood and was an accomplished traveler with their RV.
He is preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Betty Petersen.
He was a loving husband of 52 years and a great father to daughter; Hollie (Tony) Bellovary, grandchildren Amanda and Sawyer of Green Bay, Wisc., and son; Corey (Olivia) Petersen, grandchildren Cole and Owen of Kennesaw, Ga.; sisters Patty (Joe) Bell and Cindy (Craig) Koerten; brother Randy (Linda) Petersen; sister-in-law Sue (Bob) Karo; along with many nieces and nephews.
“We would like to thank the community of Cottonwood, the surrounding community of Sedona, along with the many friends and family throughout the country for their support and many prayers,” his family stated.
A gathering will be held on Friday, Aug. 30, at Dead Horse Ranch State Park, 675 Dead Horse Ranch Road, Cottonwood, AZ 86326 from 10 a.m. to noon.
The family has set up a GoFundMe. For those asking where to send flowers or a donation, please consider contributing to the Toolman Larry Memorial. As of Wednesday, Aug. 28, the donations had collected $4,500 out of a $5,000 goal.
