SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Jan. 14, 2025 (Gephardt Daily) — A man arrested this month after his ex-girlfriend, Talia Benward of Kearns, was found deceased and hidden in Tooele County has now been formally charged with her aggravated kidnapping and murder.
“Today, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced six felony charges filed against Nestor Rocha Aguayo, including aggravated murder and aggravated kidnapping charges, for his alleged connection to the disappearance and death of a woman he had been in a relationship with, T.B.,” says a news release issued by the DA’s Office.
On Jan. 2, Unified Police officials were notified by a friend of Benward that she “had borrowed his white Volkswagen Jetta but had not returned it and was not answering her phone. Later, T.B.’s father contacted Unified Police and said that T.B. had been missing for over a day and the family could not get in contact with her.”
The car was located in a location associated with Aguayo, and it had a missing floor mat and the smell of gasoline in the trunk.
Police gained access to Benward’s tablet, and learned she had plans to meet up with Aguayo on Jan. 1 near a gas station near 9000 South and 5600 West, where surveillance images showed Aguayo got into the car Benward had borrowed. They did some shopping and headed to a park in Magna, the news release says.
The two then traveled to Tooele County, according to their phone records, then Aguayo’s phone returned to a Salt Lake County residence.
“Based on the evidence, law enforcement went to a remote area in Tooele County where they discovered a burn pit with the remnants of a mat matching the one missing from the Volkswagen Jetta,” the statement from the Salt Lake County DA’s Office says.
“A cadaver dog was called out and it located the body of T.B. The medical examiners determined the cause of her death was homicide caused by a mix of asphyxiation and blunt force trauma.
“Law enforcement officials later learned that the defendant was traveling on a bus, possibly fleeing to Mexico. They were able to take the defendant into custody after he tried to flee from them in Beaver, Utah.”
A warranted search of Aguayo’s phone turned up photos of Benward’s body in the same battered state in which it was recovered, the statement says.
Investigators also obtained gas station surveillance footage from a Maverik station where Aguayo purchased gloves, a lighter and gasoline with cash. His clothing matched that captured in the photo of Benward, the statement says.
Aguayo faces charges of:
- Aggravated murder, a first-degree felony
- Aggravated kidnapping, a first-degree felony
- Three counts of obstruction of justice, a second-degree felony
- Desecration of a human body, a third-degree felony
“This is a case that has shocked our community,” said Salt Lake County DA Sim Gill, in the released statement.
“We hope the family and loved ones of the victim can get the support they need to help them through this incredibly difficult time.
“Our office will continue to work closely with the Unified Police Department as the investigation into this alleged crime continues. All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”
Talia Lee Benward, 31, is shown in this photo shared by Unified Police.
