Update: Police investigating ‘suspicious death’ at Salt Lake City motel ID ‘persons of interest’

Photos: SLCPD
Javier Rodriguez Pena (L) and Kristie Marie Hansen

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 28, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Police are investigating after what they are calling a “suspicious death” at a Salt Lake City motel Tuesday morning.

Later on Tuesday, Salt Lake City Police Department sent out a tweet saying the death is now being investigated as a homicide.

SLCPD released the names and photos of Kristie Marie Hansen, 26, and Javier Rodriquez Pena, 29, who are considered “persons of interest” in the case.

SLCPD Detective Greg Wilking said in an update Tuesday night that as the investigation unfolded, it was learned that Pena and Hansen were in the area with the victim.

Wilking added that, although Pena and Hansen “haven’t been elevated to the level of suspects” and police simply want to know their involvement with the victim, the public is advised not to approach the two, but to just call police if they are seen.

Anyone who knows the whereabouts of Hansen or Pena, or who has any information about the homicide, is asked to call police dispatch at 801-799-3000 and reference case 17-224975.

Just before 8:40 a.m., an adult female in her 20s was found in one of the rooms of the Gateway Inn, at 819 W. North Temple, SLCPD Detective Greg Wilking told Gephardt Daily.

The manner in which she died was unknown at the time, but Wilking said it was “not a natural death.” It does not appear there was anyone in the room with her at the time she was found.

He said that, because the woman was found in a motel room, it may take longer to notify the next of kin, and he anticipated her name would be released some time Wednesday.

Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information becomes available.

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