SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Nov. 21, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — Salt Lake City Police homicide detectives said Tuesday they believe they have identified the remains of a man who was murdered in the summer of 2011, after unearthing his body Saturday.
The body was found after an all-day search following a tip to police, a news release from the Salt Lake City Police Department said.
A follow-up news release Tuesday morning said SLCPD homicide detectives wish to thank the many people who called to assist in the identification of the homicide victim.
“Because of those tips, detectives believe they have identified the victim and are waiting for DNA testing to confirm the victim’s identity,” the news release said. “Police have also been in contact with the victim’s family, but the identity of the victim will not be released until confirmed by the Medical Examiner’s Office.”
The suspect, Carlos Trevizo-Acosta, the owner of Los Lobos Paving and Construction in Salt Lake City, is in custody. He is facing charges of first-degree felony criminal homicide and third-degree felony purchase, transfer, possession, or use of a firearm.
“The murder was in conjunction with a disagreement between the suspect and victim, which occurred near Indiana Street just west of a canal,” the initial news release said. “The victim was a male, Hispanic in his mid-30s, first name Ignacio, but went by Nacho.”
A probable cause statement from the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office said a witness described where the homicide occurred and also how and why the suspect allegedly killed the victim. The witness heard gunshots, the probable cause statement said, and provided detectives with a “specific and detailed eyewitness account of the murder.”
A third party also advised the witness that the suspect moved the victim’s body from one location to another. The third party showed the witness where the victim was currently buried.
Homicide detectives executed a search warrant at that Salt Lake City address, and with cadaver dogs and an excavator operator, located the body beneath approximately seven feet of dirt.
The suspect was interviewed, and, after being read his Miranda rights, stated that there were three firearms inside his house. The suspect is a restricted person, prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous domestic violence conviction.
The police department served a search warrant on the suspect’s house and recovered four firearms.
SLCPD continues to ask the public for help on this case. Anyone that has information about what happened is asked to contact the department. Detectives would like to speak to anyone who may have information about the homicide, the location it occurred, or any other information regarding this case.
Anyone with additional information is asked to call detectives at 801-799-3753. Anonymous tips may be sent by text to 274637. Please start the text with TIPSLCPD, which routes it to the police department, then include any relevant information. Reference: case #17-201891.
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information becomes available.
