WEST VALLEY CITY — An 18-year-old man was arrested Tuesday in connection with the stabbing death of a woman found dead in her backyard.

About 9:15 p.m. Monday, West Valley police were called to 2960 Mountain Goat Way (7170 West) where the body of Amanda Garcia, 33, was found in the backyard with multiple stab wounds, said West Valley police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku.

"Leads were developed and a suspect was identified," she said.

Justin VanCleave was arrested for investigation of murder and obstruction of justice. Police say he was arrested without incident about 9 a.m. Tuesday in Magna.

After the killing, VanCleave "made efforts to conceal" Garcia, according to a Salt Lake County Jail report, "as well as evidence that was within the scene."

Court records indicate that VanCleave lived in the same house as Garcia. Detectives were still investigating the relationship between the two, Vainuku said.

On Monday, police said there was a report of shots fired in a drive-by shooting earlier in the day near the same location. A shell casing was found in the street, but officers couldn't find any victims or any signs of damage. On Tuesday, however, investigators said they could not confirm whether a shooting actually happened.

Related:

Woman found stabbed to death in West Valley backyard

A woman's death was being investigated as a homicide in West Valley City, police confirmed Monday.

VanCleave was charged in January with misdemeanor marijuana possession, according to court records. A warrant was issued for his arrest in February when he failed to show up for court.

Garcia and Robert VanCleave, 27, were charged May 10 in 3rd District Court with theft by receiving stolen property, a second-degree felony, and drug possession, a class A misdemeanor, after police say the two used a stolen car to buy heroin. A warrant was issued for her arrest on Monday after she failed to appear for a court hearing.

Whether Robert VanCleave is related to Justin VanCleave was unknown.

Contributing: Ladd Egan

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