LOCAL NEWS

Police Need Help Identifying Woman Found Dead Near Saltair

Aug 29, 2020, 3:31 PM | Updated: Dec 19, 2022, 11:49 pm

MAGNA, Utah — Police are asking for the public’s help in identifying a deceased woman who was found outside Saltair, near the Great Salt Lake.

Sgt. Melody Gray with the Unified Police Department said a jogger first spotted the woman’s body a half-mile east of Saltair. The body was on the rocks, just over a jersey barrier, next to Frontage Road.

Gray said the body had likely been there for several days, and police said Monday the incident is under investigation as a homicide, as the victim was shot.

“Unfortunately, at this point, we don’t even know who she is,” Gray said.

Due to the elements, police said it was hard to make out describing factors like age and ethnicity.

“It’s a remote area out here. It’s off the Frontage Road, it’s not a highly travelled road,” Gray said. “Definitely the circumstances surrounding it are suspicious.”

Police said what’s more suspicious is no one has reported their loved one missing, and nearby missing person’s databases have turned up no matches so far.

“There’s nothing that we found that is obvious at this point,” Gray said. “Initially, we started with Tooele (and) Wendover — those places that are nearby — as well as the national database to see if there is something listed there.”

A drone search of the surrounding vegetation turned up no personal belongings, but police said that in itself is telling.

“Everything is very out of place,” Gray said.

Gray said the woman’s clothing and shoes were not exercise clothing and didn’t indicate she intended to visit the remote area.

“She was probably not (out here for a jog),” Gray said.

Police described the woman as 5-foot-5 tall with long black hair, and tattoos with the words “Joseff” and “J Grinn.”

Sgt. Melody Gray said they hoped to get more information like fingerprints from the medical examiner’s autopsy.

The UPD later confirmed the woman’s identity as 42-year-old Akosita Kaufusi of Salt Lake City around 3:15 p.m. Sunday. Anyone who may have information about the incident was asked to call UPD at 801-743-7000.

KSL 5 TV Live

Top Stories

Local News

(Utah Foster Care)...
Karah Brackin

Study: Utah is best at putting foster kids in safe homes

A study published in March 2023 by the American Enterprise Institute looks nationally at foster care and placing children in safe, stable homes, among other factors. Utah is ranked number one on that list. 
13 hours ago
(Derek Petersen/KSL TV)...
Casey Scott

Casey Scott surprises drivers with free gas cards

Casey Scott was out and about on a beautiful Wednesday morning, asking drivers which holiday has the best candy and surprising a few of them with free gas cards.
13 hours ago
Police respond to Spanish Fork High School after receiving reports of an active shooter, which were...
Josh Ellis

Police: Hoax targets several Utah schools with fake shooting threats

First responders were sent to multiple Utah high schools Wednesday due to calls reporting an active shooter, but police have confirmed none of the threats were credible and no students were in danger.
13 hours ago
(Salt Lake City Police Department)...
Madison Swenson

Gas leak closes roads in Salt Lake City; authorities investigating

A gas leak has some roads closed in Salt Lake City Wednesday morning.
13 hours ago
A sign indicating the Seven Canyons Fountain's water has been turned off stands in front of the fou...
Carter Williams

Seven Canyons Fountain at Liberty Park to become a ‘dry’ art feature

The seven creeks that flow through the Salt Lake Valley are thriving as a result of a record-setting winter within the snowpack basin that fuels all seven of the creeks.
13 hours ago
Gwyneth Paltrow enters the courtroom for her trial, Tuesday, March 28, 2023, in Park City, Utah. Pa...
Sam Metz

Gwyneth Paltrow’s ski collision trial continues with defense

Gwyneth Paltrow’s attorneys are continuing to mount their defense about her 2016 ski collision with a 76-year-old retired optometrist who sued her years later.
13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Stack of old laptops with dark background...
PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.
Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...
BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.
Close up of an offset printing machine during production...
Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.
vintage photo of lighting showroom featuring chandeliers, lamps, wall lights and mirrors...
Lighting Design

History of Lighting Design | Over 25 Years of Providing Utah With the Latest Trends and Styles

Read about the history of Lighting Design, a family-owned and operated business that paved the way for the lighting industry in Utah.
Fiber Optical cables connected to an optic ports and Network cables connected to ethernet ports...
Brian Huston, CE and Anthony Perkins, BICSI

Why Every Business Needs a Structured Cabling System

A structured cabling system benefits businesses by giving you faster processing speeds and making your network more efficient and reliable.
notebook with password notes highlighted...
PC Laptops

How to Create Strong Passwords You Can Actually Remember

Learn how you can create strong passwords that are actually easy to remember! In a short time you can create new ones in seconds.
Police Need Help Identifying Woman Found Dead Near Saltair