Body of missing West Wendover father found, determined as a homicide
Jul 23, 2025, 10:28 AM | Updated: 10:16 pm
Picture of Salvador Conejo Pedraza, 50. (Courtesy Omar Conejo)
(Courtesy Omar Conejo)
TOOELE — The search for a missing West Wendover man has ended in heartbreak for his family. Authorities have confirmed the body found last week in the Utah desert belongs to 50-year-old Salvador Conejo-Pedraza, who was missing since June 20.
The Tooele County Sheriff’s Office said Conejo-Pedraza’s remains were discovered Thursday, July 10, near Silver Island Loop Road. The location is roughly nine miles from where his abandoned Isuzu Rodeo was found last month.
On Wednesday morning, Sgt. Dane Lerdahl said the sheriff’s office determined Conejo-Pedraza’s death was a homicide.
Lerdahl said police had a suspect in custody, Geoff Goldsborough, on a warrant.
Police said the homicide investigation was ongoing.
“It just hurts, you know,” said Omar Cornejo, Conejo-Pedraza’s son. “I couldn’t find him in time… Not like this. He didn’t have to go out like this.”
Deputies have not released details about how Conejo was found or the cause of death, citing the ongoing investigation. Family members say DNA testing was used to confirm his identity.
Conejo-Pedraza’s disappearance sparked a widespread search effort involving drones and canine units. His white 1992 Isuzu Rodeo was found abandoned on June 22 on Leppy Pass Road, just north of Wendover. Inside the SUV, deputies discovered a few drops of blood.
“They’re treating it like a homicide, that there was foul play involved,” Cornejo said. “It doesn’t feel real. I don’t know how to take it. A lot of mixed emotions.”
The Tooele County Sheriff’s Office has not released further details about the cause of death or how the body was discovered, citing the ongoing investigation.
Despite the outcome, the Cornejo family expressed deep gratitude for the community’s support. “I just really appreciate it … May God bless them,” Conejo said.
A *GoFundMe has been established to help the family with funeral expenses.
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