Accident – death – Obituary News :

Unified Police Release New Details in Murder Investigation of Esperanza Chavez

MILLCREEK, Utah (ABC4) – The Unified Police have provided additional information regarding the murder investigation of 25-year-old Esperanza Chavez. Her lifeless body was discovered leaning against a dumpster in Millcreek on Saturday morning.

The Discovery

At 6:20 a.m. on January 20, authorities received a distressing call about a body located at 3994 South 300 West in Millcreek. Upon their arrival, officers were confronted with a grim scene – Chavez had tragically lost her life due to a gunshot wound to the head.

Surveillance Footage

During their investigation, police thoroughly reviewed surveillance footage, which revealed significant details about the case. The video showed a black Chevrolet 1500 pickup truck with a partially broken passenger side window entering the complex where Chavez’s body was later discovered. A Black man, identified as 46-year-old Fred Jason Edwards, wearing all black clothing and white tennis shoes, exited the vehicle.

The Disturbing Incident

According to the surveillance footage, Edwards proceeded to the passenger side of the truck and forcibly removed Chavez’s lifeless body. In the process, the passenger side window shattered. Shockingly, the suspect attempted to dispose of the body twice but failed both times. Eventually, he left Chavez’s body leaning against the north side of the dumpster before fleeing the scene in his truck.

The Relationship

Further investigation revealed that Edwards and Chavez had a history together and appeared to have been involved in an intimate relationship. Disturbingly, Edwards had previously been arrested and charged with assaulting Chavez just three months prior to her tragic demise. Official records describe the assault as a brutal attack, leaving Chavez with a hematoma on the left side of her forehead, scratch marks, bruising around her right eye, and a bloodshot right eye.

Edwards’ Arrest

After carefully analyzing the surveillance footage, authorities identified Fred Edwards as the individual responsible for dumping Chavez’s body. It was discovered that Edwards had attempted to admit himself into the psychiatric hospital at the University of Utah. Detectives swiftly located Edwards in the university’s Emergency Department waiting room, a mere 11 hours after Chavez’s body had been abandoned.

The Vehicle and Attire

During Edwards’ arrest, his distinctive Chevrolet truck, with a broken passenger window, was found at the university. Although Edwards had changed his clothing since the surveillance footage was captured, he was still wearing the same white tennis shoes.

An Arresting History

Edwards, a documented gang member with a violent criminal history, has been involved in numerous assaults, mayhem, resisting arrest, threats, retaliation against a witness, and even escape from custody, according to official records.

Legal Consequences

As a result of the evidence against him, Edwards was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on multiple charges. These include murder (a first-degree felony), obstruction of justice (a second-degree felony), and abuse or desecration of a dead human body (a third-degree felony).

This shocking incident has left the Millcreek community in mourning as they grapple with the loss of Esperanza Chavez. As the investigation progresses, the Unified Police will continue their pursuit of justice, determined to bring closure to this harrowing case.

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