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MAGNA — Detectives announced Wednesday they are now treating the deaths of two Magna residents whose bodies were found within two days of each other as if the cases are connected.
Investigators have confirmed that Shelli Marie Brown, 26, was shot to death, said Unified Police Lt. Lex Bell. Her body was found Aug. 19 in Copper Park, 8941 W. 2600 South.
Her death came two days after the body of Stevan Ryan Chambers, 26, was discovered in the road in the same area near 8990 W. 2900 South. He also died of gunshot wounds, Bell said.
Detectives believe the cases are connected based on a number of facts, including: Chambers and Brown were acquaintances, both had the same circle of associates, both were shot, both bodies were left unattended in similar fashions and they were killed just a couple of blocks from each other, Bell said. The suspicion that the deaths are connected is also partly based on interviews conducted with associates of the two.
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Ballistics tests on slugs and shell casings recovered from both crime scenes are expected to be completed soon. That information could tell police whether the same weapon was used in each shooting.
Family members of the victims are still in shock over the shootings.
"The toughest part was pulling in that driveway. I didn't realize how hard it was going to be," said Pat Brown, uncle of Shelli Brown.
Roy Spanton raised Chambers from when he was just eight years old and said Chambers had been shot at just two days before his death.
"I saw him on the Saturday prior to his death and I had to walk him home because he was terrified to walk by himself," Spanton said. "Somebody had taken shots at him."
On Aug. 21, Unified police rounded up two known associates of both victims to question them.
Detectives were also looking Wednesday for anyone who may have seen or heard anything suspicious in the area of Copper Park on Aug. 19, the day Brown's body was found. Anyone with information can call police at 801-743-7000.
Contributing: Andrew Adams