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Authorities arrested a third suspect in the shooting death of a young woman at Jordanelle State Park. Jason Cowdell, 29, was arrested on suspicion of murder in the shooting death of 21-year-old Ashely Sparks at 3:30 this morning at a house in Murray.
Police believe Cowdell was instrumental in delivering Sparks to Alvey, the alleged shooter, and knowing that she could be killed.
Cowdell was not at the scene when Ashley Sparks was shot four times; his involvement took place prior to that event.
In a court document, it says Cowdell facilitated in the delivery of the victim to the suspected shooter 19-year-old Christopher Alvey. It says that Cowdell drove Sparks, along with another male who has not been identified, to Alvey's location, and according to the witness, turned her over to him.
It goes on to say that Cowdell and the other male knew that Sparks could be killed if they took her to Alvey.
Police had been looking for Cowdell since yesterday and found him at a home in Murray near 5800 South and 75 West early this morning.
Police say witnesses tipped them off about his involvement in the murder. State Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Director Sid Groll said, "At this point in time, it is unfolding fairly quickly, but there is a lot of information that is coming forward, and the agencies that are working together are working very diligently, really 24 hours a day to bring it to closure."
The other suspects, 22-year-old Joshua Binkerd and 19-year-old Christopher Alvey, were taken into custody Sunday.
Sparks was found near the visitors center at Jordanelle Reservoir on Friday. She had four gunshot wounds: two to the abdomen and two to the leg. She was taken to a Salt Lake area hospital where she was pronounced dead.
For anyone who would like to help the Sparks family financially, a fund has been set up in Ashley Sparks' name. You can donate at any Chase Bank location.
E-mail: spark@ksl.com
