This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2016, and information in the article may be outdated.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 said Wednesday they had located a missing Jeep Grand Cherokee belonging to homicide victim Hope Gabaldon.

Last Thursday at about 10:30 p.m., Gabaldon, 21, was found badly injured at the side of the road near 3100 S. 4000 West. She later died at a hospital.

Gabaldon's Jeep, which was located by a police officer in the parking lot of an apartment complex near 4100 S. 4000 West, will be processed for evidence. Police have called the vehicle a "critical component" of the investigation.

Police have not disclosed the nature of Gabaldon's injuries, beyond characterizing them as "multiple traumatic injuries" from a "violent attack."

On Tuesday, police identified 26-year-old Sergio Briseno Medina — who is an acquaintance of Gabaldon's — as a person of interest in her death.

Police worked with law enforcement in Denver to arrest Medina at a home there, on the 4000 block of Deephaven Court, on Sunday. West Valley City Police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku declined to specify what led investigators to the Mile-High City.

Vainuku said Wednesday that police were working with the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office to extradite Medina to Utah.

West Valley City police were in Denver conducting follow up work on this case," said Vainuku on Tuesday. "… At this time, Medina has not been officially charged in connection with the homicide of Gabaldon."

Medina has no criminal record in Utah, according to a search of court records.

His arrest came the same day as a candlelight vigil for Gabaldon at Liberty Park. Gabaldon's obituary describes her as a sweet, quietly confident woman who laughed at every joke, loved reality TV, and "appreciated the differences in everyone that surrounded her."

"She taught us all to be strong and her grace will be forever admirable," her obituary reads.

Police encourage anyone who might have information regarding the case to contact them at 801-840-4000.

mmcfall@sltrib.com

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