A man who murdered an 18-year-old woman in Utah four decades ago has finally been identified, authorities said Thursday.
Christine Gallegos was discovered deceased on May 16, 1985, on Jefferson Street in Salt Lake City. The Salt Lake City Police Department reported that she had endured a brutal attack, being beaten, stabbed, sexually assaulted, and shot near an area once known as Dirk’s Field.
Despite extensive investigative efforts and multiple rounds of forensic testing over the years, detectives were not able to generate any leads, resulting in the case going cold. However, in 2023, advancements in DNA and genealogical testing finally linked the case to a man named Ricky Lee Stallworth.
At the time of Gallegos’ murder, Stallworth was a 27-year-old airman stationed at Hill Air Force Base, as confirmed by the police. Tragically, Stallworth passed away due to natural causes in July 2023.
Gallegos’ mother, Leah, thanked investigators for “never giving up” on solving the case.
The mother of Christine Gallegos, Leah Gallegos, speaks during a news conference at the Salt Lake City Police Department. (Salt Lake City Police Department)
“You never quit thinking about it. You never quit crying about it,” Leah Gallegos said when reporters asked about her memories of her daughter.
“I wonder about the kids that she would have…” she added. “She was outgoing, she was sweet … they took so much away when they took her away.”
Utah State Bureau of Investigation Agent Steve O’Camb said he hoped that identifying the killer would bring the family closure.
“Handcuffs, however, do not equal healing,” O’Camb said. “The resolution of Christine’s case is a prime example. We weren’t able to arrest a suspect, but hopefully we achieved some measure of justice for her and the family and friends that loved her.”
