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SALT LAKE CITY — A man accused of killing a woman in South Salt Lake using a large rock was formally charged Wednesday.
Jovanie Alejandro Silva, 22, who is listed in court documents as homeless, was charged with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony.
On Sept. 28, the body of Kaitlyn Barron, 23, was found partially nude with visible injuries to her face and head in a rear parking lot at 2550 S. 300 West, charging documents state. A large "wedge-shaped rock covered in blood and hair" was found near Barron's body, the charges state. There was also evidence she had been dragged a short distance from where she was originally assaulted, according to court documents.
Surveillance video collected from a nearby business recorded Barron and Silva walking in the area the day before.
"After walking out of view of the camera, Kaitlyn can be heard screaming 'Knock it off' and continuing to scream and cry for approximately three minutes followed by impact sounds," the charges state.
An autopsy determined Barron was struck in the head multiple times "causing over 40 severe lacerations and head trauma," according to charging documents.
After several minutes, the screams stopped, according to charging documents, and Silva is seen walking away about a half-hour after the last time the surveillance camera recorded him.
Police were able to track where Silva walked by using other surveillance cameras in the area. Detectives were able to follow him to the homeless shelter at 3380 S. 1000 West, the charges state, where he was later arrested.
Prosecutors have requested Silva be held in the Salt Lake County Jail without bail.
