Nestor Rocha-Aguayo, Utah man arrested in the murder of girlfriend, Talia Benward, after woman going missing over New Years. Ex boyfriend had a history of domestic violence against vicitm and order of protection. Wanted man apprehended on bus traveling to Mexico.
A Utah man suspected of bludgeoning his girlfriend to death was arrested after he was found on a bus heading to Mexico, Sunday night.
Nestor Rocha-Aguayo, 24, of West Valley City, was apprehended around 7:30 p.m. on Sunday in Fillmore on suspicion of having murdered his former girlfriend, Talia Benward, 31, of Kearns. The slain woman’s body was found in a remote section of Tooele County on Saturday according to the Unified Police Department said.
A police statement said ‘it appears the victim may have suffered from blunt force trauma and trauma to her neck area.’
Family members reported Benward missing to the Unified Police Department on Thursday, Jan. 2. She was last seen on Jan. 1, KUTV reported.
Authorities said early evidence led them to believe Benward was either being held against her will by a violent ex-boyfriend or was dead.
Rocha-Aguayo, 24, who had a history of violent behaviour towards the woman, and who had a current order of protection against, was ‘quickly developed’ as a suspect in the murder. Police launched an intensive search for him, asking for the public’s help while cautioning not to approach him.
Police zeroed in on a bus heading to Mexico, Sunday night, with the suspect removed from the vehicle.
‘We’re grateful that we could bring this person into custody safely. Our detectives will be diligent in working this continuing case,’ said Unified Police Sgt. Aymee Race.
Court records showed a history of violent behavior form Rocha-Aguayo toward Benward, including ransacking her bedroom and taking items in August 2024, blocking her vehicle and pulling her out of it by the hair in December 2023, and preventing her from leaving her bedroom and destroying her phone the previous month. He was charged in all those cases and even barred from contacting her with protective orders, which he promptly violated.
