Phoenix Police say victim’s ex used cell to hide her death

Authorities say a Phoenix man accused of killing his 19-year-old ex-girlfriend used cellphones to try to make it seem like she was still alive.

A Maricopa County Superior Court judge on Tuesday ordered 23-year-old Jon Christopher Clark, who faces first-degree murder and other charges, released on $1 million bond.

According to a probable cause statement, Clark texted himself and others from Kiera Bergman’s phone after she was last seen Aug. 4.

Police say when reporting Bergman’s disappearance, Clark showed several inconsistencies including mentioning details from a text that her roommate hadn’t shared.

Bergman’s partially nude body was found Sept. 3 in Buckeye near State Route 85. The cause of death has not been determined.

A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 21.

A defense attorney has not yet been appointed.