One of the defendants, Francisco Morales, 31, was charged in connection with a Summit County homicide. Photo: Summit County Sheriff’s Office

PARK CITY, Utah — A Salt Lake County man and woman have been charged with murder and multiple felonies after prosecutors say they conspired to kill the woman’s domestic partner, then transport and conceal his body in a remote area of Summit County.

According to charging documents filed in 3rd District Court, Reina Chavez Sandobal, 41, and co-defendant, Francisco Santos-Morales, 31, are both facing one count of first-degree felony murder, along with charges including obstruction of justice, abuse or desecration of a human body, and multiple counts of committing domestic violence in the presence of a child.

Investigators say Sandobal and Morales had been planning the killing for about a week.

Alleged weeklong plan

Court documents detail a series of messages exchanged between Morales and Sandobal on March 25, including discussions about drugging Sanchez and disposing of his body in a remote mountainous area.

Prosecutors allege Sandobal gave Sanchez a drink laced with crushed Tylenol PM before Morales arrived at the apartment later that evening.

Text messages cited in the charging documents indicate Sandobal told Morales that Sanchez had consumed the drink, later adding that the pills “really worked” as Sanchez fell asleep.

Before arriving, Morales texted Sandobal, “Realize I’m risking everything.” She responded, “Yes I know.”
Later he messaged, “Do you know a place in the mountains that is kind of far away?” She responded, “No I don’t know here but we can search for one in Google.” Later she added, “River or mountain” and “Lake or mountain.” Morales responded, “Mountain is better.”

Morales allegedly arrived at the apartment around 11:20 p.m.

Fatal attack and transport of the body

According to investigators, Sanchez was attacked while asleep. Preliminary autopsy results later determined he died from blunt force trauma to the skull, including a penetrating injury to the forehead consistent with a small, circular object.

Security footage cited in the documents shows two individuals believed to be Chavez-Sandobal and Morales carrying a body out of the apartment early March 26 and loading it into a vehicle.

The pair then drove the body to a rural area near Browns Canyon Road and High View Road in Summit County, where it was left. The body was discovered around 2 p.m. that day.

Authorities also reported that the suspects were stopped by deputies in Kimball Junction around 2:53 a.m. for a minor traffic violation while driving the same vehicle.

Investigators say evidence recovered during the case includes a blood-stained blanket found in a closet, a hammer believed to be the murder weapon, and blood found in the back seat of the vehicle used to transport the body

Sandobal admitted to purchasing Tylenol PM and putting it into a drink consumed by Sanchez, according to the filing.

Prosecutors allege that three minor children were inside the apartment at the time of the homicide, leading to additional domestic violence-related charges.

The charges were formally authorized for filing on April 9. Sandobal and Morales are being held in the Summit County Jail without bail. Their first court will be on April 13 at 10 a.m.