Police Find Body, Car Of Missing South Jordan Man
Jan 18, 2019, 11:14 PM | Updated: Jan 19, 2019, 11:16 am
Courtesy David Stokoe friend
SOUTH JORDAN, Utah — Police are investigating a homicide after a man who was last heard from Thursday evening was found dead Friday night.
Police launched an investigation into David Stokoe’s disappearance Friday evening. They located his body hours later, according to a tweet from the Salt Lake Police Department.
“Our condolences to family and friends. We will work hard to bring those responsible to #Justice,” the tweet said.
Details about where police found Stokoe or how he died were not immediately available. Police expect to release more information Saturday morning.
Sadly we are now investigating a #Homicide. David Stokoe has been located deceased. Updates will be coming in the morning. Our condolences to family and friends. We will work hard to bring those responsible to #Justice.
— SLC Police Dept. (@slcpd) January 19, 2019
Stokoe, who works in real estate, left from South Jordan Thursday evening to check on a property he owns in Salt Lake City, according to South Jordan Lt. Matt Pennington.
Stokoe was in contact with his wife, who is out of town, Pennington said. She did not hear from Stokoe after he left to check on the property, according to Pennington.
Just before 5:30 p.m. Friday, police were on the scene of “suspicious circumstances” in connection with Stokoe’s disappearance, Salt Lake police said in a tweet.
“We came to the address, made entry into the apartment, saw some things that were concerning to us and we’ve started an investigation into (Stokoe’s) disappearance,” said Salt Lake police detective Greg Wilking.
At 10:00 on @KSL5TV, the desperate plea from family and friends after a father of four, #DaveStokoe, goes missing. @slcpd say they have reason to believe he is in danger. pic.twitter.com/CiWHIoVfoM
— Ashley Moser (@AshleyMoser) January 19, 2019
Nate Brusik, a close family member, said Stokoe went to the property to check on disgruntled tenants with the intent to evict them. He believed Stokoe was in danger.
“Dave hasn’t disappeared because Dave’s having a meltdown, Dave’s disappeared because somebody’s done something,” he said.
Police had said Stokoe was driving a 2015 white Cadillac Escalade with Utah license plate F823HL. That vehicle was found early Saturday by West Valley police, but officials would not say where.
Two people were taken into custody when the vehicle was recovered, police say. They were inside the SUV when police found it, but they do not appear to be related to the death of Stokoe. Their connection to the case is still being investigated.
As of Saturday morning, investigators were still looking for suspects, but would not release any details. They said that information may be released later in the day.
Anyone with information about the investigation is asked to call Salt Lake police at 801-799-3000 and reference case No. 19-10532.
