BLUFFDALE, Utah (KUTV) —
Charges have been filed against Jacob Holt Johnson, accused of murdering a woman he was romantically involved with. On December 31, officers with the Bluffdale Police Department discovered Johnson unconscious in a white jeep at a 7-11 gas station on Redwood Road. An officer noticed a disturbing sight—a woman’s body in a cardboard box in the trunk of Johnson’s vehicle.
Upon opening the trunk, officers found the woman unresponsive and cold to the touch, with bruises and lacerations to her head, arms, and legs, and an extension cord around her neck. Authorities later discovered a bloodied hammer, hatchet, knife, gas can, and bleach at the scene.
Detectives traced the crime to Johnson’s home in Herriman, where they found blood and evidence of an attempted cleanup. A bat with smudge marks, likely recently washed, was also found on the kitchen floor. Investigators spoke with the victim’s friends, who reported prior abuse, both verbal and physical, at the hands of Johnson.
On Friday, Johnson was charged with one count of first-degree felony aggravated murder, one count of second-degree felony obstruction of justice, one count of third-degree felony possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, and one count of third-degree felony desecration of a human body.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill expressed condolences for the victim’s family and urged individuals experiencing or witnessing domestic violence to report it to prevent further violence. Resources for those in need of support are available.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic or dating violence, help is available. Call 911 if in immediate danger.
