SALT LAKE CITY (TCN) — Investigators recently identified a suspect in the death of an 18-year-old female whose body was found nearly four decades ago.
According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, on May 16, 1985, 18-year-old Christine Gallegos was found deceased in what was then known as Dirk’s Field. Police said she had been beaten, sexually assaulted, stabbed, and shot to death. Investigators determined it was “very obvious” that the victim had struggled in the moments before her death.
Despite authorities’ efforts, no arrests were made, and the case went cold. The investigation was reopened in 2023, and officials entered an unknown male’s DNA into the Combined DNA Index System. According to their May 15 news release, police said detectives worked with genetic genealogy company Othram Labs to identify Ricky Stallworth as the likely suspect. Investigators compared a DNA sample from a family member and confirmed the match.
Stallworth was reportedly 27 years old and an airman stationed at Hill Air Force Base when the victim died. Authorities noted that Stallworth died of natural causes in 2023.
The relationship between Stallworth and Gallegos remains under investigation.
In a statement, Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said, “Just because time passes doesn’t mean we stop searching for answers.”
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