Investigators say a blood trail led from a West Valley City sidewalk to a nearby home where a confrontation occurred hours earlier.
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — A 45-year-old man was found dead on a neighborhood sidewalk early Thursday, Christmas morning, and police arrested his girlfriend after tracking a blood trail to a nearby house where the pair had argued overnight, authorities said.
Police identified the man as Jose Humberto Alvarado. Detectives said the investigation points to a confrontation outside a residence on Atlas Way that began after an incident inside involving a child. Officers had responded to the home at about 1:30 a.m. for that earlier call. By shortly before 8 a.m., a person walking a dog found Alvarado on the sidewalk near 4500 West and Thayn Drive, and first responders pronounced him dead at the scene. The case is in its early stages, with the suspect booked into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on suspicion of murder while detectives gather evidence and forward findings to prosecutors.
Police said Alvarado attended a holiday gathering Wednesday night that stretched into the early hours. There, officers said, a family member reported that Alvarado had been caught taking leggings off an 11-year-old female relative of his girlfriend, Fabiola Lara, 39. Officers went to the house around 1:30 a.m., but Alvarado fled before they arrived, investigators said. Detectives believe Lara and Alvarado argued on the front curb soon after. During that confrontation, police say Lara stabbed Alvarado. He left on foot, and a blood trail led from the home to the location where his body was later found. Lt. Michael Johnson said a neighbor walking a dog discovered the body around 7:30–8 a.m. and called 911.
Investigators said Alvarado suffered at least one stab wound, including to the shoulder, and they found evidence of the route he walked before collapsing on Thayn Drive. Police canvassed doorbell and porch cameras in the area and collected footage that detectives say shows the stabbing and the wounded man leaving the home. A neighbor identified as Steve described hearing first responders and seeing blood along the sidewalk Christmas morning. “It’s unfortunate that it happens on Christmas morning,” Johnson said, noting the block is typically quiet. The girl’s condition was not detailed by police, and authorities did not say whether she received medical treatment.
West Valley City has dealt with high-profile violent crimes in recent years, though homicides remain relatively rare in the city of more than 140,000 residents west of Salt Lake City. The neighborhood around 3900 South and 4500 West is a mix of single-family homes on narrow residential streets, where morning dog walkers and school traffic are common. Thursday’s death drew a heavy response from patrol officers and crime scene technicians, who strung tape across the block and went door to door seeking video from overnight. Detectives emphasized that holiday dates do not shield neighborhoods from domestic conflicts that start indoors and spill outside.
Police arrested Lara and booked her into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail for investigation of murder. Formal charges had not been announced by Friday. Detectives said they will submit the case to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office after completing interviews and evidence reviews. Officials did not say whether Lara had an attorney or when she would make an initial appearance in court. An autopsy will determine the exact cause and manner of Alvarado’s death. Investigators asked residents with cameras in the area to review footage from late Wednesday into Thursday morning and contact police with anything unusual.
Outside the taped-off block, residents described a jarring scene for a holiday morning. “We’ve never felt like we had to have cameras, because nothing has ever happened,” said neighbor Sylvia Feleti, who said the body was found near her fence line. Another neighbor said he stayed with the 911 caller until officers arrived, calling the discovery “unnerving.” Officers worked through on-and-off rain as they marked spots along the blood trail and photographed evidence. By afternoon, crime scene vans had cleared but patrol units remained in the area, and bouquets began to appear near the curb where investigators first placed evidence markers.
As of Friday, police said the case remains active, with evidence processing and interviews underway. Detectives expect to forward the case to prosecutors in the coming days. No court date had been set. Authorities said additional updates will be released after the medical examiner completes preliminary findings and after prosecutors decide on charges.
Author note: Last updated December 27, 2025.