Elizabeth Elena Laguna-Salgado was a 26-year-old woman from Mexico who moved to Provo, Utah, in March 2015 to learn English and pursue her dreams. She was a devout member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and had served a mission in her home country. She was optimistic, cheerful, and friendly, according to her family and friends.
However, her life was tragically cut short when she vanished in broad daylight on April 16, 2015, after leaving her language school. Her disappearance sparked a massive search effort that involved the police, the FBI, the media, and the public. But despite all the efforts, no trace of Elizabeth was found for three years.
In May 2018, a man stumbled upon a skull and some clothing in a shallow grave in Hobble Creek Canyon, Utah, about 15 miles from where Elizabeth was last seen. The remains were later identified as hers, and the death was ruled suspicious. But what exactly happened to Elizabeth Salgado? How did she die? And who killed her?
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The Disappearance of Elizabeth Salgado
Elizabeth Salgado was last seen on April 16, 2015, around 1:30 p.m., as she left the Nomen Global Language School in Provo, where she was taking English classes. She was wearing a denim jacket, blue jeans, and black boots. She had a black backpack and a purple purse with her. She was walking to her apartment, which was about 18 blocks away from the school.
According to her classmates and teachers, Elizabeth was quiet and reserved, but also friendly and polite. She had been in Utah for only three weeks and spoke very little English. She had no car, no phone, and no credit cards. She relied on public transportation and payphones to communicate with her family in Mexico.
Elizabeth had told her family that she had met a boy in her apartment complex who had shown interest in her. She had also gone on some outings with him and other friends from her church group. However, she did not reveal his name or any other details about him.
On the day of her disappearance, Elizabeth had called her mother around noon and told her that she was going to have lunch with some friends after class. She also said that she was happy and excited about her new life in Utah. That was the last time anyone heard from her.
When Elizabeth did not return to her apartment that evening, her roommates became worried and contacted the police. They also reached out to her family in Mexico and informed them of the situation. The police launched an investigation and searched the area where Elizabeth was last seen. They also interviewed her classmates, teachers, friends, and acquaintances.
However, they found no signs of foul play or any clues that could explain her disappearance. They also checked her phone records and bank accounts and found no activity after she vanished. They did not find any evidence of a struggle or a kidnapping. They did not find any witnesses who saw or heard anything suspicious.
The police also looked into the possibility that Elizabeth had run away or left voluntarily. They considered the fact that she had an obsessive boyfriend in Mexico who did not want her to come to Utah. They also wondered if she had met someone online or through social media who lured her away.
However, they found no proof that Elizabeth had any plans or intentions to leave Utah or go back to Mexico. They also found no evidence that she had any enemies or conflicts with anyone. They also ruled out the involvement of any human trafficking or drug-related groups.
The police also investigated Elizabeth’s two uncles who lived in Utah and had helped her settle down there. They suspected that they might have something to do with her disappearance or know something more than they were telling. However, they cleared them of any wrongdoing after questioning them and searching their homes.
The police were baffled by the case and had no leads or suspects to follow. They appealed to the public for any information or tips that could help them find Elizabeth or solve the mystery.
The Discovery of Elizabeth Salgado’s Remains
Three years after Elizabeth Salgado disappeared, a man who was hiking in Hobble Creek Canyon on May 11, 2018, made a shocking discovery. He went off the trail to use the bathroom in some bushes and noticed a skull and some clothing partially buried in the ground.
He immediately called the police and reported what he had found. The police arrived at the scene and cordoned off the area. They excavated the site and recovered more bones and personal items that belonged to Elizabeth Salgado.
They also collected DNA samples from the remains and sent them to a lab for analysis. On May 23, 2018, they confirmed that the remains were indeed those of Elizabeth Salgado. They notified her family in Mexico and expressed their condolences.
The police also announced that they were treating the case as a homicide and that they had a person of interest in mind. They did not reveal the name or the identity of the person, but they said that he was someone who knew Elizabeth and had contact with her before she disappeared.
They also did not disclose the cause or the manner of death, but they said that it was suspicious and that there was evidence of foul play. They said that they were waiting for the results of the autopsy and the forensic tests to determine more details.
They also said that they were trying to figure out how Elizabeth’s body ended up in Hobble Creek Canyon, which was a remote and rugged area that was not easily accessible by car or foot. They said that they were looking for any vehicles or people who might have been seen in the area around the time of her disappearance or after that.
They also asked for the public’s help again and urged anyone who had any information or knowledge about the case to come forward and cooperate with them.
The Mystery of Elizabeth Salgado’s Death
More than eight years after Elizabeth Salgado’s disappearance and death, the case remains unsolved and the mystery remains unsolved. The police have not made any arrests or charges in connection with the case. They have not revealed any new details or updates about the investigation.
The family of Elizabeth Salgado has not given up hope and has continued to seek justice and closure for their loved one. They have hired a private investigator, Jason Jensen, to help them with the case. They have also offered a reward of $50,000 for anyone who can provide information that can lead to the arrest and conviction of the killer.
Jason Jensen has been working on the case since 2018 and has been following up on various leads and tips. He has also been conducting his own interviews and searches. He has been sharing his findings and theories with the public through social media and podcasts.
Jason Jensen believes that Elizabeth Salgado was killed by someone she knew and trusted, someone who had access to her apartment and her personal belongings. He thinks that she was lured or coerced into leaving with him on the day of her disappearance. He thinks that she was taken to Hobble Creek Canyon, where she was killed and buried.
Jason Jensen has also identified a potential suspect, whom he calls “John Doe”. He says that John Doe is a church member who knew Elizabeth and had contact with her before she disappeared. He says that John Doe has a criminal history and a history of violence against women. He says that John Doe has lied to the police and has changed his story several times.
Jason Jensen has also claimed that he has evidence that links John Doe to Elizabeth Salgado’s death, such as DNA, phone records, and witness statements. He says that he has presented his evidence to the police and has asked them to arrest John Doe. However, he says that the police have not acted on his evidence or his request.
Jason Jensen has also accused the police of mishandling the case and covering up for John Doe. He says that the police have ignored or dismissed his evidence and his tips. He says that the police have protected John Doe because he is a church member and has connections with influential people.
The police have denied Jason Jensen’s allegations and have defended their investigation. They have said that they have followed all the leads and tips that they have received, including those from Jason Jensen. They have said that they have not found any conclusive evidence or probable cause to arrest or charge anyone in connection with the case.
They have also said that they are still working on the case and that it is still active and open. They have said that they are still waiting for some forensic results and some legal processes to be completed. They have said that they are still hopeful that they will find the truth and bring justice to Elizabeth Salgado and her family.
The case of Elizabeth Salgado is a tragic and perplexing one. It is a case that has left many questions unanswered and many mysteries unsolved. It is a case that has frustrated and saddened many people, especially her family and friends.
It is a case that deserves attention and resolution. It is a case that needs closure and justice.