In a tragic and shocking development, a third teenager has been arrested in connection with the murder of 21-year-old Alex Franco, who was found dead from an apparent gunshot wound in a remote Utah desert.
The initial arrests were made on March 17, 2024, when two teenagers, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old, were charged with multiple felony homicide charges. The third teenager, also a 17-year-old, was taken into custody in connection with the suspected murder.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(641x345:643x347)/utah-murder-victim-alex-franco-032124-1-fe30ce11318f49438d3f3d0b060f86d2.jpg "Third Teen Arrested in Shooting Death of 21-Year-Old Alex Franco")
Alex Franco was last seen alive on Sunday afternoon when he stepped into a white Jeep Liberty, which was later found in Salt Lake County. The vehicle was involved in the possible abduction and shooting of Franco, who was discovered dead in an isolated and arid part of Lehi, a small city near Provo, several days after his disappearance.
Franco’s girlfriend, Alyssa Henry, reported hearing a gunshot from inside the car as Franco got in. The car then drove away, and Henry chased it but was unable to catch up. She was concerned by the apparent gunshot and the Jeep’s prompt exit, leading her to track Franco’s cell phone, which eventually stopped tracking.
The investigation into Franco’s disappearance and subsequent death was marked by a significant shift from a possible abduction to a homicide case. The discovery of Franco’s body in the desert shifted the focus of the investigation, and the public’s help was sought in locating the Jeep involved in the incident. Surveillance footage showed the Jeep parked outside Henry’s home in Taylorsville, and the community was asked for tips as to its whereabouts.
Beyond heartbroken. But this is literally what everyone has been saying would happen the more legislators pass anti-trans bills. Gov. Cox and state legislators may have not pulled the trigger but they're just as guilty. #AlexFranco #ProtectTransKids ??️⚧️https://t.co/TGVdh0EyLH
— Tom Soares (@tommyverse) March 21, 2024
The arrest of the third teenager underscores the gravity of the crime and the ongoing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Franco’s death. The case has sparked outrage and concern among the community, with family members and friends of Franco expressing their determination to ensure justice is served.
The Taylorsville Police Department and local authorities are continuing their investigation, with the belief that one of the teens in custody was the shooter. The discovery of the Jeep and the subsequent arrests have provided crucial leads in the case, but the investigation remains ongoing, and police are still actively seeking information to bring the perpetrators to justice.
