Investigators say they caught a man wanted for the murder of his ex-girlfriend in Utah on a bus headed to Mexico Sunday night.
The body of 31-year-old Talia Benward was discovered in a secluded area of Tooele County on Saturday morning, following a report by her family after she was reported missing on Thursday, according to CrimeOnline.
A police statement said “it appears the victim may have suffered from blunt force trauma and trauma to her neck area.”
Nestor Rocha-Aguayo, aged 24, quickly became a suspect in the murder, prompting police to initiate an extensive search for him. Authorities urged the public to assist but advised against approaching him.
Police officers and US Marshals took him off a bus in Fillmore Sunday night at about 7:30 p.m., KSL reported.
Unified Police Sgt. Aymee Race expressed gratitude for the safe apprehension of the individual, stating, “We’re grateful that we could bring this person into custody safely. Our detectives will be diligent in working this continuing case.”
Court records showed a history of violent behavior form Rocha-Aguayo toward Benward, including ransacking her bedroom and taking items in August 2024, blocking her vehicle and pulling her out of it by the hair in December 2023, and preventing her from leaving her bedroom and destroying her phone the previous month. He was charged in all those cases and even barred from contacting her with protective orders, which he promptly violated.
