Homicide Unit
Salt Lake City experienced 15 homicides in 2008, down from 21 the previous year. All but one of last year's homicides have been solved.
The Homicide Unit had a total of six detectives assigned to day-to-day operations in 2008. The unit also had one part-time retired detective working 20 hours a week.
Currently, the Homicide Unit handles all unattended deaths, suicides, homicides and cold cases, and reviews all ambulances calls. During 2008, adult missing people cases were added to the unit's list of responsibilities.
One of the 2008 homicides was the result of the victim being shot in a taxi cab robbery in April of 1993.
The victim has lived in a rest home for some years and passed away in April. A 1993 warrant remains active for a then-juvenile suspect on Aggravated Robbery and Attempted Homicide charges. While the Homicide Unit screened the case this year for homicide charges upon the victim's death, the upgraded charges were denied. The suspect is known but at large and most likely in Mexico.
In addition to these high profile cases, the Homicide Unit was involved in preparing older cases for trial. Of particular note, the 2007 homicides of Officer Stephen Anderson, murdered in the line of duty by Curtis Allgier; Josue Contreas, a nine-year-old boy murdered at a local restaurant by being put in a large bucket of ice; and Faviola Hernandez, murdered at her hair salon. In the latter case, the shooter was brought back from Mexico in late-December.
Last but not least, during 2008 the U.S. Attorney's Office began the federal process of trying Brian David Mitchell for the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart. Mitchell has been sent to a federal prison for psychological evaluation. This will be a very time consuming matter for the Homicide Unit in the year to come, as well.