Man Arrested In Connection With Missing Sandy Woman’s Death

JUAB COUNTY, Utah – Investigators have arrested a man in connection with the death of a missing Sandy woman.

Searchers found what they believe to be the body of Jan Pearson-Jenkins in Juab County Saturday. She had been missing for a week.

Family members said she had gone camping with a man named Cody Young. Pearson-Jenkins’ brother, Jace Pearson, said Young messaged him to say the pair had gotten into an argument and he had left her, saying that Pearson should come pick her up.

As they tried to find Pearson-Jenkins, investigators said they also tried for several days to reach Young to find out more information, but could not find him. Saturday afternoon, while friends, family, and members of the Juab County Sheriff’s Office tried to find Pearson-Jenkins, some hunters showed up with crucial information.

“Saw the commotion, drove down, and asked the sheriffs what was happening and they told him, and he said, ‘You know, I remember seeing that van,’,” Jace Pearson said.

Shortly after, Pearson said, searchers found the pair’s campsite, then found the body believed to be Pearson-Jenkins.

“She really was a fun, creative girl and had a lot of love for her family,” Pearson said.

Hours later, investigators said they found Young at Yuba State Park, arresting him for investigation of murder.

In a probable-cause statement, an officer wrote, “Cody stated that on Thursday a conversation regarding money and repair work that had been performed at Jan’s mother’s residence came up. Cody and Jan got into an argument resulting in Cody placing Jan’s belongings outside the van and telling her they were ‘done.’  Cody stated he eventually told Jan he would give her a ride home, at which time Jan thanked him. Cody also stated that the pair smoked meth that night,”

Investigators said Young told them the pair planned to find a new camping spot and stay one more night. The next day, they said there was another argument.

“Cody stated that shortly after finding another spot and setting up camp he and Jan got into another argument. Cody stated that he did not feel comfortable being around Jan any longer. He stated that he got into his van, started it up and locked the doors. Cody stated that as he was getting ready to drive away Jan was trying to open the door on the driver’s side. Cody stated he drove away as Jan stood in the camping area with a beer in her hand. Cody stated he believed it was sometime after 4 p.m. when he drove off,” the officer wrote in the probable-cause statement.

In the document, the officer wrote that Young “was aware that by leaving Jan something might possibly happen to her.”

“Cody knowingly engaged in conduct which created a grave risk of death to another, thereby caused the death of another,” the officer wrote.

Authorities have not said what caused the woman’s death. In the probable-cause statement, the officer described the scene where they found the body.

“The female was nude, and three articles of clothing were found on the ground near her. The female had marks and bruising on the back and legs as well as a mark on her head. It appeared the body had been exposed to the elements for some time,” he wrote.

The officer wrote that Young did not admit to any violence between himself and Pearson-Jenkins.

The state medical examiner’s officer will perform an autopsy.