Tips sought in pregnant mom's death

Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Feb 14, 2006 by Pat Reavy Deseret Morning News

TAYLORSVILLE -- Police here are asking for the public's help in providing any information they can regarding the slaying of a pregnant woman.

The body of 29-year-old Sonia Mejia was found Thursday inside a unit of the Fairway Apartments, 1167 W. Clubhouse Drive, by her common-law husband, who returned home from work about 6 p.m.

Mejia, who was six months pregnant, was strangled and possibly sexually assaulted, Taylorsville police Sgt. Rosie Rivera said. An autopsy was conducted Friday.

The unborn child died as a result of his mother's injuries.

Investigators believe the homicide occurred between 10:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. that day. Mejia was last seen by her 8-year-old son when she dropped him off at school. She last spoke to her husband on the phone at 10:30 a.m. But even though the homicide allegedly happened during the day, investigators have been frustrated by the lack of witnesses.

"This occurred in broad daylight," Rivera said. "But we don't have any information. It's amazing how no one saw anything, no one heard anything."

Investigators hope someone actually did see something and will come forward.

Detectives believe a key to solving the case will be finding Mejia's car, which has been missing since her body was found.

Police were looking for a gray 1998 Ford Escort with Ski Utah license plate 586 NAD. Late Monday, Taylorsville police found the car abandoned at the Fairfield Inn, 594 W. 4500 South.

Officers are also looking for a man seen by a neighbor near Mejia's apartment. The Hispanic man is described as 5 feet 6 inches tall with a medium build and short dark hair combed straight back. He was wearing denim shorts past his knees, white tennis shoes, no socks and a white T-shirt.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Taylorsville police at 743-7000.

E-mail: preavy@desnews.com