TOOELE, Utah, May 6, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — Tooele City Police detectives have made an arrest in the 2011 murder of a 69-year-old woman killed in her home.
Tooele City Police investigators arrested Rogelio Diaz without incident at 7:30 a.m. Friday at his home in West Valley, near 3800 South 2700 West.
Diaz, 23, has been charged in the murder of Evelynne Derricott, 69, who was found dead in her home on Oct. 7, 2011. A press release issued by Tooele City Police said Derricott, a widow, lived alone in her home, and was a mother and a grandmother with a small circle of friends.
A short time after the murder, Derricott’s car, which had been stolen from the residence, was found in Kearns. Police had long suspected the person responsible lived in or around the Kearns area.
With the help of the Department of Public Safety crime lab, DNA obtained from the crime scene and Derricott’s car was entered into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System. A familial match ─ meaning the DNA match to someone from the same bloodline as the suspect ─ was found.
Two weeks ago, police identified Diaz was a positive match to the DNA of their possible murder suspect.
The press release states a considerable amount of resources have been devoted to investigating this case, and detectives have spent countless hours developing and following any possible leads. Numerous law enforcement agencies have assisted in the investigation, and it has remained a combined law enforcement effort.
Detectives said the case has remained an active investigation for almost five years, and at no time has been considered a cold case.
“The investigation has been a complicated process and we have taken the most careful path to obtain the best evidence. We are confident in our investigation and believe the case that is being sent to the Tooele County Attorney’s office is solid,” Tooele City Police Chief Ron Kirby said.
Police believe that Derricott encountered Diaz as he was burglarizing her home, and Diaz murdered her during the confrontation.
The Derricott family has requested privacy at this time after learning of Diaz’s arrest
