The Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake said Sunday that Benward's boyfriend, Nestor Rocha-Aguayo, a 24-year-old illegal immigrant from Sinaloa, Mexico, had been apprehended in connection with Benward's disappearance and murder. (The Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake )
ERO officials again took Rocha-Aguayo into custody, and he returned to Mexico on Dec. 24.
"He reentered the U.S. a third time without admission by an immigration official," the ICE spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson told Fox News Digital that Rocha-Aguayo is a Mexican national who was twice removed from the United States. (The Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake )
Surveillance video footage apparently shows Benward pulling into the Maverik gas station in a "borrowed" vehicle on New Year's Day, and Rocha-Aguayo getting into the passenger seat, at which point the "two began pointing at each other, they rolled up their windows and it appeared as if they were arguing," according to court documents obtained by VENEZUELAN GANG MEMBERS LINKED TO VIOLENT APARTMENT TAKEOVER ARRESTED IN NEW YORK CITY
Detectives later found blood stains inside the vehicle the couple had been driving in together. When they located Benward's remains covered in sticks behind some brush in a remote area of the interstate in Tooele, they also located the remnants of a floor mat that matched the floor mats inside the vehicle the couple was driving.
U.S. Marshals arrested Rocha-Aguayo on Jan. 5 on charges of aggravated murder, abuse or desecration of a dead human being, aggravated robbery, and other charges. ERO placed a detainer with Salt Lake County Metro Jail the same day. (The Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake )
Court documents show his prior charges from last year include robbery, aggravated assault, property damage, two counts of possession with intent to distribute, failure to stop at the command of a law enforcement officer, reckless driving, interfering with a peace officer, operating a vehicle on an unopen street, burglary, assault and unlawful detention.
He was also involved in multiple domestic violence incidents with Benward.
Police are investigating Benward's death as a homicide and asking anyone with information to send tips to 801-840-4000. Please reference case CO25-473. Tips can remain anonymous.
