Authorities arrested two suspects Tuesday in connection with the slaying of a West Valley City man found dead on Bangerter Highway last month.
Cesar Adan Martinez, 37, was found dead Feb. 26 on the highway near 8000 South. A preliminary investigation concluded that he had been stabbed and was likely thrown from a fast-moving vehicle before he died, West Jordan police said.
Tips from the public led investigators to two suspects: a 30-year-old man and a 24-year-old man, authorities announced Wednesday.
Detectives discovered communications between Martinez and one of the suspects, and later determined both suspects were with Martinez on the night of the slaying, near the location where he was killed, according to a news release.
The 30-year-old suspect was taken into custody on Tuesday; he told police that he was with Martinez and the second suspect on the night of the killing. He said the 24-year-old suspect wanted to rob Martinez as they drove him home.
After an argument while driving, that second suspect stabbed Martinez three times before pushing him onto the highway, the first suspect said.
The 24-year-old suspect was taken into custody later in the day on Tuesday. He admitted he was with Martinez on the night of the slaying, but denied killing him, police said.
The two men abandoned Martinez’s vehicle in Salt Lake City, where investigators later found it, the news release states.
“Coupled with countless hours of excellent police work and the assistance of our law enforcement partners, our detectives were able to arrest those we believe are responsible in the death of Cesar Adan Martinez, allowing Mr. Martinez’s family to have the closure needed,” West Jordan officer Samuel Winkler said in a statement Wednesday.
Both men are being held without bail at the Salt Lake County jail on suspicion of criminal homicide by assault, aggravated robbery and obstruction of justice. Neither had been charged as of Wednesday morning.