Thursday, March 11, 2010

West Valley City, UT: Man arrested after allegedly beating girlfriend to death

Scott McKane, Reporter and Jared Preusz, Web Content ProducerFOX 13 News
5:44 PM MST, March 10, 2010

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - Police arrested a man Tuesday night after he allegedly beat a woman to death at an apartment complex in West Valley City. Thomas James Valdez, 44, the prime suspect in the case, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail without bail on charges of homicide after finding the body of his suspected girlfriend at Tuscany Cove Apartments located at 3827 W. 3390 South in West Valley City.

"The initial look looked like she suffered blunt force trauma. We sealed the apartment, got a search warrant and went back in," said Capt. Tom McLachlan of the West Valley City Police Department.

Police say Valdez has been in and out of prison over the past 20 years. He was recently released from prison two years ago on July 2008.

Police are still investigating the motive behind the murder. According to a probable cause booking statement, Valdez allegedly admitted that he beat the victim.

FOX 13's Scott McKane has more.

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