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Holladay • The Unified Police Department was investigating the slaying of a 25-year-old Sandy man whose body was found on outside of a Holladay church Thursday morning.

Michael Robert Workman's body was found on the lawn of an LDS Church near 5000 South and Westmoor Road (1725 East). Detectives learned that Workman was with friends and acquaintances at a house west of the church on Wednesday night.

UPD Lt. Justin Hoyal said Workman appeared to have been stabbed several times, but police weren't sure what weapon was used. "He had puncture wounds consistent with a homicide," Hoyal said.

A neighbor discovered the unresponsive man at about 7:30 a.m. and called police, who determined he was dead. Workman's vehicle was found on a street west of the church, Hoyal said.

After playing Frisbee golf at a park in Holladay, Workman called his father about 10 p.m. on Wednesday and told him he was going to a barbecue, his older sister Caren Toomer said. He told his father that he would be home late and that he loved him, and that was the last any of his family heard from him, she said. Her family is in shock and gathered to comfort each other.

"We just keep waiting to wake up from a nightmare. ... It's so surreal," Toomer said.

She remembers Workman as her nice, happy-go-lucky brother who was always excited about life.

"He was a big kid and we loved him, and we miss him so much," she said. He was close to his family, and always enjoyed playing with his nieces and nephews, she added.

Neighbor and close family friend Steve Madsen also remembered Workman as a young man who was good to his family, on top of being "courteous, friendly, outgoing ... Just a great kid." He lived with his parents on Elm Ridge Road and was always helping them out, Madsen said.

As of late Thursday, detectives had interviewed Workman's friends and people who were at the house and were searching the home for any evidence.

Officers also took Workman's vehicle as evidence.

Though police say they have received a lot of tips, they are still urging anyone with information about the crime to call UPD at 801-743-7000.