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SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake police have sent a 6-inch section of femur to Las Vegas authorities in hopes it will help solve a criminal case there.
Authorities believe the decomposing body of a man found in the small southern Utah community of Summit may be linked to a homicide investigation in Las Vegas, according to a newly-released search warrant affidavit.
On May 22, Iron County authorities were led to a decomposing body just south of Summit. The body was sent to the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.
The medical examiner's office confirmed the body was that of Ivory "Pops" Hawkins, 63, of Las Vegas, according to the affidavit filed in 3rd District Court.
On April 10, Las Vegas police were called to Hawkins' residence on a report of shots fired. Officers found the body of a 28-year-old man inside. Witnesses later identified Hawkins and another man, Jacktorian Harvey, as being present when the victim was killed, according to the affidavit. Police say they received information from two witnesses, both "heavy narcotics users," that Harvey shot the victim, according to the affidavit.
A search warrant was conducted on Harvey's apartment on April 30 in connection with the homicide. During the execution of the warrant, Harvey was taken into custody, the affidavit states. During a search of Harvey's car on May 1, a blood stain was found on the right front passenger seat, according to the warrant. Police noted that they had not been able to locate Hawkins in April or May.
On May 23, Las Vegas police learned about the body of a man that was found along a frontage road near Summit in Iron County. Identification was found on the body belonging to Ivory Hawkins, court papers state.
On June 18, Salt Lake police obtained a 6-inch section of Hawkins' femur from the medical examiner's office at the request of Las Vegas authorities to be shipped to Nevada so its DNA can be compared to the blood stain found in the car.
