Police ID victim in St. George homicide, share new details

Victim Luwing Leonard Lopez. Photo: Facebook

ST. GEORGE, Utah, June 26, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — St. George police have revealed the identity of a stabbing victim and new details regarding his death last week.

The victim is 23-year-old Luwing Leonard Lopez. Victor Manuel Hernandez, 21, has been charged with his murder. The killing reportedly took place at 6 p.m. Thursday, June 21, at a residence.

“The two males were friends and visiting,” a new statement from the St. George Police Department says.

“During the course of the visit, the conversation became heated and Victor stabbed Luwing multiple times, resulting in his death.”

Police were contacted by a third party “… who suspected a violent incident had occurred but did not have all the information,” the news release says. “Based on the information and evidence provided, investigations responded and Luwing was located, deceased.

“Further interviews and processing of evidence resulted in Victor Hernandez, 21 years old, being arrested for murder. We would like to express our condolences to the family of Luwing Lopez at this time.”

Hernandez was arrested at about 7 a.m. Saturday.

The on-call detective was called to the scene, near the 2000 block of 1575 North in St. George.

“When I arrived, I was informed a male suspect, identified as Victor Manuel Hernandez (21 year old male) was in custody and had made statements to witnesses that he had killed somebody,” the probable cause statement says.

“During the investigation, officers located a deceased male. … The male had injuries consistent with stab wounds.

“The investigation showed that Victor Hernandez stabbed and killed the male that was found. After Victor waived his rights per Miranda, he admitted to intentionally killing the male victim with a knife that was recovered as evidence.”

Hernandez was charged with one count of first-degree murder. He is being held on a $250,000 cash-only bail.

Victor Manuel Hernandez Photo Washington County

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