WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, May 24, 2016 (Gephardt Daily) — A woman found stabbed to death Monday night in the backyard of a West Valley City home has been identified.
West Valley City police said Tuesday morning the victim is Amanda Garcia, 33. Her body was discovered by a family member at 2960 S. Mountain Goat Way (7170 West).
WVCPD also identified the suspect as Justin VanCleave, 18, who has been booked into Salt Lake County Jail on charges of murder, possession of spice and obstruction of justice.
In the probable cause statement, VanCleave admitted to officers post Miranda that he had killed the woman and tried to conceal her body.
Investigators are working to determine the relationship between victim and suspect, and officials said people inside the home were detained for questioning.
Earlier in the day, a drive-by shooting was reported at the same address. Law enforcement officials are trying to determine if the stabbing attack and the drive-by shooting are related.
Gephardt Daily will have more information on this case as it becomes available.
