WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, March 2, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — The West Valley City Police Department has located the missing jeep belonging to 21-year-old Hope Gabaldon who was killed on Feb. 25 of this year.
The Jeep was found Wednesday in apartment complex parking lot near 4000 W. 4100 South in West Valley City. Investigators believe the Jeep is a critical component in the homicide investigation. The vehicle is being stored in an evidence holding facility pending processing by investigators.
The WVCPD has a person of interest in custody.
A news release issued by WVCPD spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku said the department worked with law enforcement authorities in Denver to locate Sergio Briseno Medina, 26. On Feb. 28, Medina was arrested, but he has not been formally charged.
“Investigators have established that Medina and Gabaldon were acquaintances,” the news release said.
Medina was arrested based on probable cause with the authorization of a District Court Judge and remains in custody in Denver. Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office are making arrangements to extradite Medina back to Utah.
At this time, Medina has not been officially charged in connection with the homicide of Gabaldon.”
Gabaldon was discovered just before 10:30 p.m., badly injured and lying on the side of the road in the area of 3100 S. 4000 West.
Gabaldon was treated on scene by medical personnel and transported to a nearby hospital where she died.
Gabaldon’s identity was a mystery to police until they released photos of her tattoos to the public. She was identified through a tip a short while later.
