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Magna man finds partner dead after texts stop; police investigating case as homicide

Posted at 4:29 PM, Jun 01, 2016
and last updated 2016-06-01 18:29:32-04

MAGNA, Utah – Police are investigating the death of a Magna woman as a homicide after the results of an autopsy Wednesday.

Natalia Casagrande, 24, was found dead inside a home near 7700 West Jefferson Road Tuesday night after her partner became alarmed when she stopped texting him back.

“He had been texting with her, and then wasn’t hearing from her,” Lt. Lex Bell said. “He came home and went inside and discovered her in the basement. That’s when he ran out and yelled for someone to call 911 or yelled for help, I don’t know what he asked for first.”

Police initially called the death suspicious, but after the results of an autopsy they confirmed Wednesday the case is being investigated as a homicide. Authorities say the couple lived at the home with their two young children, ages 1 and 5. It is unclear if the couple is married.

Neighbor Jason Meinhart said he and his children were in their backyard, but they didn’t hear anything amiss.

"I was home, I was home and I didn't hear anything, that's the crazy thing,” he said. “You think you would hear gunshots or tires squealing or something, I didn't hear anything.”

Police expedited the autopsy.

"That's why they're waiting for the autopsy, because there's no clear weapon, there is no clear reason why it happened,” Bell said prior to the autopsy being completed.

Bell said they believe the two children were at home when the woman died. Both children are safe and are staying with relatives.

"I hope that the child didn't see anything terrible, but that's something [investigators] can look into," Bell said.