FILLMORE, Utah, Jan. 5, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — Nestor Rocha-Aguayo, whom Unified Police now call a suspect in the homicide of former girlfriend Talia Benward, has been taken into police custody after officers stopped a Mexico-bound bus in Fillmore.
Benward, 31, from Kearns, was last seen on Thursday and was reported missing Friday. On Saturday, her body was found by search K-9s in rural Tooele County, Unified Police announced on Sunday. Benward was found with trauma to her neck.
In the Sunday morning announcement, officers asked the public to share any available information on the location of Rocha-Aguayo, 24, from West Valley City. The advisory asked people not to approach him.
Aymee Race, Unified Police spokeswoman, told reporters gathered at 9:30 p.m. Sunday that a significant number of tips came in through social media. Race did not say what specific information led investigators to Tooele County or to the southbound bus.
Race did confirm that Rocha-Aguayo and Benward had a history of domestic violence, and that her family had feared she might be deceased.
Race said she did not have details yet about the circumstances under which Rocha-Aguayo was taken into custody, but wanted to get the word out that he was no longer a threat. She withheld other details to preserve the integrity of the investigation, she said.
Race addressed the family and friends of the victim.
“The Unified Police Department would like to extend our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Talia Benward. We understand that no words can truly capture the pain and sorrow you are experiencing during this tragic time, and our thoughts are with you.
“This case has profoundly impacted our community, and our hearts go out to everyone who knew and loved Talia. We also want to express our sincere gratitude to the many agencies that played a critical role in this investigation. The West Valley City Police Department in particular, demonstrated exceptional support, (as did) the efforts of the Salt Lake City K-9 Unit and Weber County Sheriff Search and Rescue K-9 Units.”
Gephardt Daily will share additional information as it is released.
