- Leituono Falaniko, of Midvale, was arrested for investigation of manslaughter Sunday.
- The victim, his girlfriend, died after being assaulted and dropped off at a hospital, police say.
- Witnesses and surveillance video allegedly linked Falaniko to the assault.
MIDVALE — A Midvale man was arrested Sunday and accused of assaulting his girlfriend who later died at a hospital.
Leituono Falaniko, 31, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail for investigation of manslaughter.
The investigation began just before 7:30 a.m. Sunday when police were called to conduct a welfare check near Hillcrest High School, 7350 S. 900 East.
"The witness observed (a man) exit the passenger seat and went to the driver's seat. The male opened the door, and it appeared (a woman) was trying to get away from him. The female was kicking at the male, and the male punched her. The female was then forced to the passenger seat of the car and the male drove them away north on 900 East. The witness said the female was screaming and the male was yelling," according to a police booking affidavit.
About 8:20 a.m., police were called to Alta View Hospital. Officers were told by a nurse that a 25-year-old woman "had been assaulted by her boyfriend in the road," the affidavit states. The woman had been dropped off at the hospital by an unknown person.
Based on witness descriptions, police quickly realized the two incidents were related.
"While at the hospital, (the woman) told family (members) that her boyfriend, (Falaniko) punched her in the face multiple times with a closed fist during an argument," the affidavit alleges.
But while the woman's family was at the hospital with her, she suddenly said that "she was having chest pains and couldn't breathe. (She) collapsed and was declared deceased by hospital staff," the affidavit says.
The identity of the woman has not yet been released.
After watching hospital surveillance video, investigators identified Falaniko as the owner of the vehicle that dropped the woman off at the hospital.
"The person driving does not stay with (the woman) or assist her into the hospital. The vehicle immediately leaves after (she) exits the car. The vehicle seen in video footage matches the picture of the vehicle (at the school) provided by the witness," according to the arrest report.
The vehicle was located parked at a business at 7331 S. 900 East. Officers watching Falaniko's residence reported spotting him with a bag standing near the road, apparently waiting for a ride.
After he was taken into custody, Falaniko told police that he and the woman live together and had been arguing before he left their apartment. She followed in his car and "she pulled up by him, and the physical altercation occurred after (the woman) said she was going to crash his car. (Falaniko) said he tried to grab the keys to turn off the car and (she) scratched and kicked him," the affidavit says.
Falaniko, who is listed in jail records as being 5 feet 10 inches tall, weighing 305 pounds, says he then hit the woman twice in the face — claiming it was with the palm of his hand — and then drove her to the hospital at her request.
"While further investigation is ongoing, there is currently probable cause that (Falaniko) committed the crime of domestic violence manslaughter. (Falaniko) admitted to striking (the woman) at least twice, clearly hard enough to require stitches. This behavior is reckless in nature and appears to have contributed to (her) death," police wrote.
Domestic violence resources
Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah's confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
- YWCA Utah Survivor Services: 801-537-8600
- Utah's statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
