This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
West Valley City Police on Tuesday arrested a suspect in the Monday night slaying of a woman found dead in the backyard of her home.
Justin Cade VanCleave, 18, was booked into the Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of murder and obstructing justice in connection with the stabbing death of 33-year-old Amanda Rose Garcia.
A probable cause statement filed with the jail states that VanCleave admitted killing Garcia, and that he said he made efforts to conceal the dead woman, as well as evidence at the scene.
Police responded Monday at about 9:15 p.m. regarding a dead woman at 2960 Mountain Goat Way (7170 West), according to a West Valley City police news release.
Garcia's body was discovered by a relative in the backyard of the residence. She appeared to have been killed by multiple stab wounds, the news release said.
VanCleave was arrested about 9 a.m. Tuesday at a Magna residence.
The police news release said investigators were working to identify the nature of the relationship between the victim and suspect, as well as a motive for the homicide.
Court records show that VanCleave listed his address as 2960 Mountain Goat Way in January, when he was charged with class B misdemeanor possession of marijuana/spice in West Valley City's justice court.
A $2,500 warrant was issued for VanCleave's arrest in February when he failed to appear in court.
An arrest warrant was issued for Garcia on Monday afternoon, after she failed to appear that afternoon in 3rd District Court in Salt Lake City in a case where she was accused of using a stolen car on May 8 to go look for heroin to buy, according to court records.
Also charged with Garcia in the stolen car case was a man named Robert Thomas VanCleave, 27, who listed his address as 2960 Mountain Goat Way.