This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Salt Lake City police confirmed Friday that DNA testing by the Utah Crime Lab has confirmed that blood found inside an abandoned SUV earlier this month does belong to one of three missing men.
However, Detective Veronica Montoya said the identity was not being released at this time, though his family was notified of the results. Testing of blood samples from the SUV are ongoing, she added.
"This remains an active investigation," Montoya explained. "But I can say that they [crime lab staff] do know that the DNA matches one of the men."
Reported missing on Nov. 1 are Levi Collins, 34, Danny Kiko Gallegos, 35, and Braden Parker Emerson, 23, who have not been seen in nearly two weeks.
At the time, family members said the three friends had left to ride ATVs.
A Chevrolet Tahoe the three had last been seen riding in was found Nov. 3 close to an irrigation canal in the area of 1700 West and 1500 South. Inside the vehicle, police found a large amount of blood, along with a dog.
An ATV the truck was hauling, along with its trailer, were later found at an unspecified auto shop, where it reportedly had been dropped off for repairs.
SLCPD asks that anyone with information on this case call 801-799-3000, or anonymously text tips to 274637 with the keyword TIPSLCPD.
Twitter: @remims