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Police investigating apparent murder-suicide after bodies found in West Valley City home

Posted at 4:47 PM, Oct 11, 2015
and last updated 2015-10-11 23:31:19-04

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah -- Police in West Valley City are investigating the deaths of two people after personnel responding to a 911 call for medical help Sunday morning found the bodies inside a residence, and later Sunday night authorities said it appears the incident is a murder-suicide.

Police in West Valley City stated they were investigating the deaths of two people in the vicinity of 2500 West and 3000 South, and the bodies were found in a residence at the Mountain View Mobile Home Park.

Officers have been on the scene since about 8:30 a.m., and things began when a relative of one of the deceased came upon the scene and called 911 Sunday morning to report they needed medical assistance. When officers arrived, they found two dead individuals inside the residence.

A 39-year-old woman identified as Noelia Popoca of Salt Lake City is one of those found in the home, and police said they weren't sure if she lived at the residence or not. The second dead individual is an adult male, and police have not released the identity of that man, pending notification of his family.

Authorities said late Sunday the case appears to be a murder-suicide, but that autopsies would be needed to confirm that suspicion. Police did not specify which individual is the suspect and which the victim in the apparent murder-suicide.

Police stated that while they are still working to determine the exact nature of the relationship between the two deceased individuals, it is believed the pair had known each other, "for some time."

Abraham Rodriguez lives across the street from the home where the bodies were discovered. He said his grandfather owns the mobile home and had been renting it out to two men the last few months.

Rodriguez said he saw one of the men fighting with an unidentified woman on a regular basis.

"I would see that guy outside with the lady, and then he'd come out and they would fight outside, and then they'd go back inside and fight, and then she would leave, and then two days later she would come back," Rodriguez said.

It was not clear if the woman described by Rodriguez is Popoca or not.

Police obtained a search warrant Sunday evening, which they said would help them investigate the home more thoroughly. Several hours later, they announced their belief the case is a murder-suicide.

Authorities ask anyone with information about the incident or anyone who knows Popoca, and who she may have been spending time with recently, to contact them.

The causes of the deaths have not yet been determined.