A woman found dead near a dumpster on Saturday was dumped there by her boyfriend after he shot her in the head, Utah police said.
KTVX reported that Esperanza Chavez’s body was discovered leaning against a dumpster in Millcreek. Unified police said surveillance footage showed Fred Edwards, 46, pulling Chavez’s body out of a truck and breaking a passenger window in the process.
Edwards allegedly tried twice to put Chavez’s body in the dumpster before leaning it against the dumpster and leaving the area. The footage reportedly showed the truck’s license plate, which police determined belonged to Edwards.
It is believed Edwards fatally shot Chavez in the truck, according to KSTU. Edwards allegedly tried to admit himself to a psychiatric hospital after dumping Chavez’s body.
Edwards and Chavez, 25, were reportedly in a relationship. According to KTVX, Edwards was arrested three months earlier for abusing Chavez. Authorities claimed Chavez had scratches and bruises around her right eye — which was bloodshot — and she also had a hematoma on the left side of her forehead.
Edwards is reportedly a gang member with a lengthy criminal history. KATV reported that in 2020, Edwards’ ex-girlfriend ran into a 7-Eleven with a bloody mouth begging someone to call 911 because Edwards was going to kill her.
Edwards allegedly punched the woman and dragged her into a car by her hair. During that incident, he reportedly also texted his mother and threatened to chop her in half if she told his probation officer.
In regards to Chavez’s death, Edwards is charged with murder, obstruction of justice, and abuse or desecration of a dead human body. He remains jailed without bail.
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[Featured image: Esperanza Chavez; Fred Edwards/Unified Police Department]
