TOOELE COUNTY, Utah, Jan. 5, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — Unified police have located the body of missing Kearns woman Talia Benward in a remote location in Tooele County, and they are asking for the public’s help finding her “violent ex-boyfriend,” Nestor Rocha-Aguayo.
“Detectives from Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office Major Investigations Unit were asked to join in the investigation from the onset and contributed greatly,” an update from UPD says. “As the investigation developed and evidence was gathered, it became evident Talia Benward was either being held against her will by a violent ex-boyfriend or was deceased.”
On Saturday morning, detectives searched an area where they thought Benward, 31, might be.
“The area was large and covered with tall brush and cedar trees. Additionally, the search was being conducted in nearly total darkness and frigid snowy conditions.
“Determined to locate Talia Benward, Salt Lake City K-9 and Weber County Sheriff Search and Rescue K-9 Units were contacted and conducted a search of the area using specially trained canine teams.
“At 5:20 a.m., the body of Talia Benward was located by one of these teams. Without their assistance and their willingness to help in this investigation, discovery would have been delayed.”
The body was taken to the Office of the Medical Examiner for autopsy.
“Preliminarily, it appears the victim may have suffered from blunt force trauma and trauma to her neck area. The Unified Police Department is investigating the death of Talia Benward as a homicide. At this point in time, Unified Police Department has a person of interest and are seeking the public’s help in locating Nestor Rocha-Aguayo out of West Valley City.”
Anyone with information on Rocha-Aguayo, 24, is asked to call the Unified Police Department at 801-840-4000.
“We do believe he is still in Salt Lake County and are asking individuals to not confront him but to call police.”
“Our hearts go out to the family and friends of Talia Benward and we would ask everyone in the community to band together to help locate him.”
Anyone with information is asked to call 801-840-4000, and reference case CO25-473. Tips can remain anonymous, the statement says.
