Family Seeks Justice After I-15 Homicide
Aug 18, 2020, 11:24 PM
FARMINGTON, Utah – Less than 48 hours after their loved one was attacked in a moving car and dumped on Interstate 15, a family called for justice for the woman’s killing while cautioning others to think carefully about any strangers they help.
Fruit Heights resident Shilo Stewart, 34, was remembered Tuesday as a good, caring and big-hearted person who would have helped anybody.
“She was a very beautiful, beautiful person,” said her sister, Misty Butcher.
Butcher and Stewart’s mother, Karen Surles, said Stewart was once again helping someone — in this case, a stranger who needed a ride — when she was killed late Sunday.
Less than 48 hours after their loved one was stabbed and dumped out of a moving car on I-15, this family is calling for justice for the woman’s death. The story TONIGHT on @KSL5TV at 10p #KSLTV #Utah pic.twitter.com/wT1Fy92gvK
— Andrew Adams (@AndrewAdamsKSL) August 19, 2020
According to a probable cause statement, the man later told investigators Stewart was staring at him during the drive.
“He didn’t like it, so he started stabbing her,” Surles said. “And then he opened the driver’s door and kicked her out on the freeway when they were going really fast.”
Utah Highway Patrol investigators said the vehicle came to a stop down the road.
Oscar Cuevas-Landa, 18 was booked into jail on suspicion of murder and aggravated assault resulting in serious bodily injury.
According to jail documents, Cuevas-Landa told troopers he had been using either acid or LSD and smoking marijuana.
“All she was trying to do is help him and what he did to her — it was horrific,” Butcher said.
Family members said they hoped a significant punishment awaited the suspect.
“He deserves what he gets,” Butcher said. “I hope he never walks free again.”
The family has set up a GoFundMe account* to help with expenses after Stewart’s death.
Surles and Butcher said they’ll deeply miss their daughter and sister.
“It’s going to be really hard without her here,” Surles said.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
