Third teen arrested in connection to Taylorsville man’s death

TAYLORSVILLE, Utah — Taylorsville police said they have arrested a third teenager in connection to the suspected murder of a Taylorsville man. 

Police found 21-year-old Alex Franco found dead on Tuesday in a remote desert area in western Lehi. On the same day, the Taylorsville Police Department arrested two teenagers, a 15-year-old and a 17-year-old. They are both accused of several felonies related to Franco’s murder.

Related: Taylorsville residents grieve missing man shot over the weekend

In a statement, the Taylorsville Police Department said it had taken a third teen, a 17-year-old, into custody Thursday morning.

The statement also said that investigators think one of the teens killed Franco during an attempted robbery.

According to police, the teens intended to rob Franco on Sunday but a fight broke out and one of them shot Franco, killing him. Police said the teens then drove straight to a remote area in Utah County, where officers later found Franco’s body.

Investigators believe they have no other suspects in the case. The statement said that the department now considered the case closed.

“We hope that the resolution of the investigation will bring some peace and comfort to those close to the victim, family, and friends,” Taylorsville Police Chief Brady Cottam said in the statement.

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