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Man Accused Of Sex With Utah Teen Is Now A Suspect In Her Murder
Baleigh Bagshaw’s mother heard her being "violently attacked" on the phone before the line died, police said.
Police believe a man who allegedly had sex with a Utah teen girl in 2017 is the person who brutally murdered her last week.
Shaun French, 24, was arrested Wednesday in Colorado after a nationwide manhunt for three counts of third-degree felony unlawful sexual activity with a minor, according to The Salt Lake Tribune. Police said he is a suspect for the killing of 15-year-old Baleigh Bagshaw, though he has not been charged for her death. He has been jailed on a $500,000 bond.
Bagshaw was found dead in her Salt Lake City home Monday after she had called her mom upon returning from school. Bagshaw’s mother heard her screaming and being "violently attacked" before the line went dead, Salt Lake City Police Sgt. Brandon Shearer said.
Shearer added there was "quite a bit of evidence" for the girl's murder "widely spread throughout the home and throughout the area." No further details about her killing have been released.
According to court records, French and Bagshaw had sexual relations in 2017, when Bagshaw was 14. French moved in with Bagshaw’s family in February 2017, although it is unclear why. Shearer said at a press conference that French has a connection to Bagshaw's family but he did not elaborate.
A GoFundMe for Bagshaw's funeral costs has surpassed its $11,000 goal.
Her obituary stated that she loved "photography, drama club, and was passionate about animals. Her dream was to train service animals of all breeds."
[Photo: Salt Lake City Police Department, Otero County Sheriff's Office]
