Sheriff: Delle car fire was murder
Written by Suzanne Ashe

Tuesday, 27 February 2007

The Tooele County Sheriff's Department has released the name of a Mexican immigrant who was found dead inside a burning sport utility vehicle off Interstate 80 near Delle nine days ago, and declared the case a murder.

Investigators found the charred body of Oscar Botello, 29, also known as Arturo Leyva, in the back seat of a red 1993 Nissan Pathfinder on Feb. 18.

Sheriff Frank Park said Botello, who was residing in Utah and has family in the state, was the victim of murder. Park said he was unable to disclose any details of the crime.

Another man, Julio Caesar Garcia Rodriguez, 24, who suffered burns on more than 50 percent of his body, was found about 50 feet away from the vehicle, according to Park. He was also a Mexican national.

Rodriguez remains in a coma at a Salt Lake City hospital. The name of the hospital is not being disclosed and Rodriguez remains under police protection.

"The detectives are working diligently on the investigation," Park said.

The SUV was burning in the desert near the Delle exit just before 7 a.m. Feb. 18 when a passing motorist saw the fire and called 911. Park said the fire appeared to be set intentionally and that an accelerant was used.

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