Police search for person of interest in murder of 15-year-old Salt Lake City girl

Shaun French, 24, is a person of interest in the death of a 15-year-old Salt Lake City girl. Photos: SLCPD, Gephardt Daily

For an updated story, click here.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 7, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — Police are searching for a person of interest in the murder Monday afternoon of a 15-year-old Salt Lake City girl.

The man police seek is 24-year-old Shaun French. Police say he is considered armed and dangerous, and should not be approached.

He may be driving an SUV that is painted in a camouflage design, and has a Wyoming license plate.

Anyone who sees French or the vehicle is asked to call Salt Lake City Police at 801-799-3000.

The police were asked at about 3 p.m. Monday to conduct a welfare check at the small, single-family home near 1650 W. 500 North.

“Officers responded. They located a female, deceased, inside the home,” said Sgt. Brandon Shearer, SLCPD.

Police at the scene described it as an “obvious homicide.”

“We’re trying to verify that female’s identification, as well as follow up on any leads we’ve obtained since we’ve been here,” Shearer told Gephardt Daily shortly after the body was found. “We believe it happened this afternoon.”

Later on Monday, police said they were not releasing the name of the victim because of her age, nor were they releasing any details as to the cause of death.

Police told Gephardt Daily that a blood trail led to a nearby park. A mobile crime lab was brought to the scene to process evidence and document what was found.

The recently created Fugitive Search and Apprehension Team is working on the case and scouring the area for any leads. They spent much of Monday searching the area to determine how the suspect arrived at and then left the home, in addition to collecting evidence from the scene. K-9s were used in the search.

Neighbors watched in shock as it became clear that the police were investigating a homicide.

Shearer said the victim appeared to be a resident, so she was probably well known to people living nearby.

Police said the school district has been made aware of the 15-year-old’s death in the event that students may seek counseling to help them deal with the loss.

Gephardt Daily will provide updates to this developing story as more information is made available.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here