A Christmas morning discovery has led to murder charges against a Utah woman for the stabbing death of her boyfriend.
Fabiola Lara, 39, is in custody at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail, accused of fatally stabbing her boyfriend, Jose Humberto Alvarado, 45, after reportedly witnessing Alvarado taking the leggings off an 11-year-old girl, according to KUTV.
The investigation began around 8:00 a.m. on Christmas Day when a resident walking their dog happened upon Alvarado’s body on a sidewalk along Thayn Drive.
Lieutenant. M.T. Johnson of the West Valley City Police Department noted the timing of the tragedy, describing the vicinity as a “relatively quiet, nice neighborhood” and calling the incident “unfortunate” for a holiday morning.
Around 1:30 a.m., officers were called to a residence on Atlas Way to investigate reports that Alvarado had been caught removing the leggings of an 11-year-old girl during a holiday party.
Alvarado reportedly fled the scene before officers arrived to address the allegations involving the child.
Investigators believe that Lara and Alvarado had a physical altercation in front of the Atlas Way home. During this dispute, police suspect Lara stabbed Alvarado. After which, Alvarado reportedly attempted to leave on foot.
A trail of blood led from the site of the party to Thayn Drive, where he eventually collapsed and died from his wounds.
FOX 13 reported that Alvarado’s body was found near the fence of a home that belonged to Sylvia Feleti and her family. Feleti expressed her shock at something so “crazy” happening at her home of 20 years.
“They just told us it was on the side of our fence, and there was a body. That was about it. They asked if we have any cameras that they can view, but we don’t have any cameras; we never felt like we had to have cameras, because nothing has ever happened,” Feleti said.
“It was crazy. You see a lot of things happening on the news, but you never think that it would be so close to home.”
The West Valley City Police Department is actively seeking more information to piece together the final moments of the incident. Detectives have been canvassing the area for home security footage.
Authorities are requesting that any residents with porch or doorbell cameras check their recordings from late Christmas Eve through Christmas morning.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake at 801-840-4000.
Check back for updates.
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[Feature Photo: Shutterstock]
