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A Magna woman's slaying last month was part of a robbery in which the killer stole several pounds of marijuana, two guns and hundreds of dollars in cash from her home, according to charges filed Tuesday in 3rd District Court.
Jason Alan Black, 26, of Kearns, was charged with aggravated murder — a first-degree felony that carries the possibility of the death penalty — for allegedly killing 24-year-old Natalia Casagrande at her home on May 31.
Black — who allegedly bought drugs at the home on a regular basis — is also charged with attempted aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, for allegedly trying to kill the woman's 5-year-old daughter by smothering her with a pillow.
He also is charged with aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery, both first-degree felonies, and obstructing justice, a second-degree felony.
At about 7:45 p.m. on May 31, Casagrande's husband, 25-year-old Steven Arceo, found her in a pool of blood in the basement of the home, located near 7700 West 3700 South, after being unable to reach her by phone, charge state. Casagrande died from a gunshot wound to the head, charges state.
Arceo, who was at work, had been texting with his wife about what marijuana to give Black, charges state, when their conversation ended abruptly and he went home to investigate.
Arceo later told police that Black "regularly purchased marijuana from him," and that Black was supposed to have come by the day before to make a purchase, but he did not show up, charges state.
After finding his wife was dead, Arceo noticed several drawers pulled open and found that between 3 and 4 pounds of marijuana, $600-$800 in cash and two handguns were missing, charges state.
Arceo noticed marks on his daughter's face and neck, and the girl told him that Black "did it," charges state.
The girl later told police that Black had come to the house and gone to the basement with her mother. Black then told her to come to him and he held a pillow against his neck and choked her, charges state.
Another daughter, 18 months old, was home but not harmed during the episode.
The next day, police were called to a Salt Lake County motel where a maid had found marijuana and a large amount of cash while cleaning.
When police arrived, they also found bloody men's clothing, a bloody knife and one of Arceo's guns, charges state.
In the pocket of the bloody pants was a driver license belonging to Black, charges state.
The night of June 2, members of the Violent Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team went to a home in West Jordan that Black's family owned, near 10200 South and 2400 West, to serve a search warrant for other possible items taken from the victim's home.
When officers arrived, Black's father met them at the front door and told them Black was inside, according to a Unified Police Department news release.
Officers entered the home and were immediately confronted in a hallway by Black, who brandished a firearm, Salt Lake County Sheriff Jim Winder has said.
A "gun battle" ensued, during which Black was struck by several police bullets, Winder said.
No officers were hurt. At least two officers, one of them with UPD, fired their weapons and have been put on administrative leave, which is standard procedure.
Winder said Black's parents were unaware that he was being sought by police and shocked by the situation.
Also Tuesday, Black's alleged getaway driver, 24-year-old Estephania Sanchez-Mendoza, was charged with one count of obstructing justice.
Casagrande's neighbors had seen Sanchez-Mendoza waiting in a white car at the victim's house, then pulling into the garage for a short time before "fleeing the area" quickly, a jail booking document states.
Police later discovered that Sanchez-Mendoza had rented the motel room for Black and bought clothing for him, according to charges.
She was arrested June 3 without incident at her home in West Jordan, and a white sedan was seized at that location, police have said.
Both Black and Sanchez-Mendoza were being held at the Salt Lake County jail.
No court dates were set.