LOCAL NEWS

Coin With DNA Found At Site Where Elizabeth Salgado’s Remains Were Found

Mar 3, 2021, 11:28 PM | Updated: Mar 4, 2021, 7:59 am

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – April marks six years since 26-year-old Elizabeth Elena Laguna-Salgado vanished without a trace. Now, nearly three years since her body was found, there is hope that a penny could put a face on her killer.

Salgado’s killer has kept detectives in the cold, but her family is hopeful after the discovery.

“We are very happy to learn of this news,” said sister Sara Laguna Salgado.

The investigation could be entering a new season — with the flip of a coin.

Jason Jensen, private investigator and co-founder of the Utah Cold Case Coalition, said they’ve recovered DNA evidence on a penny found in Hobble Creek Canyon near Elizabeth Salgado’s resting site.

“It was in the exact location where her body (was found),” Jensen said. “There’s a makeshift headstone out of a cross and it is in a clearing where her body was located — it was right in the center of where her body would’ve been.”

Jensen said the coalition canvassed the site with metal detectors in July 2019. The penny was found underneath growth and leaves. The coin was then processed at the coalition’s lab, Intermountain Forensics.

“The key is we don’t know if it was deposited there before, during or after her body was laid there,” Jensen said.

However, Jensen said the discovery could not be overlooked considering the remote location of the site.

“It is very rural, very isolated,” Jensen said. “It is not on a pathway or anything like that, so for there to be a penny there is very unique and very unlikely.

Jensen said the preliminary results were sent to the Utah County Sheriff’s Office.

Sgt. Spencer Cannon said all possible leads are welcome. Cannon confirmed the site was thoroughly processed by detectives using metal detectors as part of the initial investigation and recovery of Salgado’s remains in May 2018.

However, family, friends and even journalists have since visited the site.

Jensen said the DNA profile is that of a man and enough material was recovered to move onto the next stage of identification in creating a full DNA profile. That profile will then be compared against profiles found on GedMatch. GedMatch is a public third-party database used as a collection hub for raw DNA files. Detectives used the site to identify the “Golden State Killer.”

“Our hope is that the penny is linked someway to identifying her killer,” Jensen said.

Jensen added they’re also planning on contacting male friends and acquaintances of Salgado to request volunteer DNA samples to speed up the process and rule out possible suspects.

Her family hopes this will be the answer to their prayers.

“We have always asked God for justice in finding her killer,” Sara Laguna Salgado said.

Anyone with information can contact any of the following resources anonymously: 

  • Utah County Sheriff’s Office, Investigator Division: 801-851-4010
  • The Utah Cold Case Coalition Tip line: 385-258-3313

Or visit https://www.elizabethsalgado.info/

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

The owners of WaterCreek Nails and Spa said a break-in resulted in thousands of dollars worth of da...

Shelby Lofton

Downtown nail spa broken into, hate speech spray-painted on the wall

The owners of WaterCreek Nails and Spa said a break-in resulted in thousands of dollars worth of damage, but the hate speech left behind made the situation worse.

8 hours ago

A Utah Highway Patrol vehicle in Salt Lake City is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2020. (Deseret Ne...

Mark Jones

UHP trooper injured in collision with alleged DUI driver

The Utah Highway Patrol says a 24-year-old man was taken into custody early Saturday morning after he was allegedly driving more than 100 mph and attempted to elude authorities.

10 hours ago

City officials in Eagle Mountain say a family of nine has been displaced following a house fire Sun...

Mark Jones

Eagle Mountain family safely escapes house fire, crews prevent home from being total loss

City officials in Eagle Mountain say a family of nine has been displaced following a house fire Sunday afternoon.

13 hours ago

Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, Jeffrey R. Holland (center) records a histor...

Tad Walch, Deseret News

‘I’m planning on eternity’: President Holland rededicates historic St. George Utah Temple

President Jeffrey R. Holland rededicated the St. George Utah Temple, the oldest operating temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, after a major renovation.

14 hours ago

Viktoria Tibbitts, center, with her sister and mom. A fundraiser was held Sunday for Viktoria, who ...

Brianna Chavez

Dozens show up to Riverdale Denny’s to support employee hit by truck

A busy Sunday is meant to be expected, but this Sunday's workday was much more meaningful for employees at the Denny's on Riverdale Road.

14 hours ago

Lloyd D. Newell, the announcer and writer of the weekly Music & the Spoken Word broadcast for the p...

Devin Oldroyd

Lloyd Newell announces departure from ‘Music & the Spoken Word’

After 34 years, Lloyd Newell, host of the Tabernacle Choir’s “Music & the Spoken Word”, announced he is concluding his service next year.

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

Coin With DNA Found At Site Where Elizabeth Salgado’s Remains Were Found