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TAYLORSVILLE — A third teen boy has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping and killing of a Taylorsville man whose body was found in a remote desert area of Utah County.
Taylorsville police announced Thursday that a 17-year-old boy was taken into custody and "detectives believe there are no other outstanding suspects in this case."
On Tuesday, the body of Alexzia "Alex" Franco, 21, was found in Utah County. "Franco's body was found with what appears to be a single gunshot wound," according to police.
Two boys, ages 15 and 17, were arrested earlier this week and booked into Salt Lake Valley Detention Center for investigation of what Taylorsville police are calling "multiple felony charges related to the homicide."
Franco was last seen getting into a white Jeep Liberty on Sunday about 4:15 p.m. near 3800 West and 5700 South, close to his home. Witnesses heard a gunshot shortly after Franco got into the vehicle, which then sped away.
"Investigators believe Franco was conversing with one of the three juveniles now in custody about purchasing a firearm. The three boys apparently showed up for a meeting, intending to rob Franco of the money that was to be used to buy the gun," police announced Thursday. "It is believed that during the robbery, inside the vehicle, an altercation ensued, and Franco was fatally shot once by one of the teenagers involved."
Investigators believe the trio drove immediately to the remote desert area in Utah County after the shooting and disposed of the body.
"Through their investigation, detectives found no evidence of this case being gang-related, drug-related or involving any type of a hate crime," police stated.
On Monday, Taylorsville police asked the public for help finding Franco. The Jeep was discovered Monday afternoon.
"We are grateful for the diligent investigative work by our detectives in helping to resolve this case with the speed in which they did," Taylorsville Police Chief Brady Cottam said in a prepared statement on Thursday. "We also greatly appreciate the public's assistance and the awareness of witnesses and their quick reporting of this crime. We hope that the resolution of the investigation will bring some peace and comfort to those close to the victim, family and friends."
