Missing gay Arizona yoga instructor, Marcus Freiberger, found dead after blind date

The body of a beloved gay yoga teacher in Arizona has been discovered almost a month after he went missing following a blind date.

Marcus Freiberger, 45, was found dead in a rock quarry last week about 6 miles from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, Phoenix police announced Tuesday in a press release. His cause of death is still "pending," and the person he was meeting with has not yet been identified.

Freiberger was last seen at a parking garage near Second Avenue and Van Buren Street on February 21, driving a white 2021 GMC Sierra pickup with Arizona license plate 3MA66L. His family said that he was planning to meet a blind date, but they later suspected something was wrong when he left his two-year-old dog, Thomas, alone in his apartment, which they said he would never do.

Freiberger was first reported missing on March 14, and was entered into the state and national database as a missing person. Police said that "no additional leads or evidence were discovered to determine if Freiberger left town or fell victim to any particular crime," and that after working with friends and family, they were still "unable to determine Freiberger’s whereabouts."

Officers responded to a call at a rock quarry near 15th Avenue and Broadway Road on March 19, where they discovered a body, which was later identified as Freiberger using fingerprints. The case is currently "being handled as a death investigation and is pending results from the Office of the Medical Examiner."

Freiberger's sister, Tina Hall, announced the news on Facebook, writing: "It is with a heavy heart that I share the tragic news that Marcus is no longer with us. Losing him feels like losing a part of ourselves and I know this will be just as difficult for you. We thank all of you for the love and support you have given Marcus and our family."

Melrose Yoga, the studio were Freiberger taught, also mourned him on Facebook with a post reading "आत्मा को सद्गति प्राप्त हो; Atma ko Sadgati Prapt ho," which translates to "may the soul attain salvation." One of Freiberger's last posts on Instagram was in December, celebrating becoming a yoga therapist.

"My life had been flip turned upside down over the last year and a half, without this journey I have no idea if I would be around anymore. I don’t say that lightly, I say that with all seriousness," he wrote. "This journey is forcing me to go inward to find my answers, my peace, and to heal. I am so grateful for my life and the peace this journey brings allowing me to be calm in my storm. Today the storm isn’t so violent ... just continues to bring me opportunities to be and do better. I’m not perfect, I’m a hell of a lot better than I was."

Detectives are currently seeking the public’s assistance for anyone who has knowledge 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.