Man found dead in Salt Lake City; another man accused of murder

SALT LAKE CITY — A man was found dead on Monday by the Salt Lake City Police Department, after it received a call about a “possible death.” On Wednesday, police announced a man was in custody, accused of murder.

The body was reported by a caller at 6:41 a.m. at 1723 S. 300 East in Salt Lake City, according to police. When officers arrived, they said they found the body of a man wrapped in garbage bags and plastic on the sidewalk near a utility cart.

“Homicide detectives responded and learned a man had been seen pushing the body on the cart,” SLCPD said. “When the cart tipped over the man left the cart and the body, then ran north towards 1700 South.”

Detectives were eventually able to identify the man who was killed and obtained a search warrant to look through his apartment, which was shared with 47-year-old Bently Scow, according to police. 

Detectives said they found evidence of a struggle inside of the apartment, and later learned Scow was at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail after being arrested on Tuesday for investigation of retail theft.

“During an interview with Scow detectives learned Scow and the victim had been in a sexual relationship,” SLCPD said. “Scow and the victim got into an argument and Scow ultimately killed the victim before trying to dispose of the body in a dumpster.”

On Tuesday, the Utah State Medical Examiner ruled the man’s death as a homicide, according to police. The medical examiner said the man’s death was caused by blunt force trauma and asphyxiation.

“Detectives booked Scow into the Salt Lake County Jail charges of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and desecration of a human body,” SLCPD said.

SLCPD asked anyone with information to call police and to reference the case number 26-115406.

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Contributing: Jacob Freeman

This story may be updated.