SANDY, Utah — A woman who was living in transitional housing for medically vulnerable people in Sandy was formally charged about a week after the murder of her roommate.
Laura Darlene Northrup, 60, was charged with one count of first degree felony murder and one count of obstructing justice, a second-degree felony.
Arresting documents report that just after 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, police were sent to the Sandy Medically Vulnerable People (MVP) Shelter at 8955 South 255 West.
Once they arrived at the scene, officers found 62-year-old Stephanie Lynn Hackett-Carrasco dead with an injury consistent with blunt force trauma to the back of her head, documents state.
Surveillance video gathered at the scene documented the comings and goings of Hackett-Carrasco, Northrup, as well as a third roommate.
Documents state that the victim was last seen entering the room just after 1 a.m. Sunday. Then, Northrup was seen leaving the room at 1:57 a.m. with clothing and other personal items.
Hours later, at around noon, the third roommate was seen entering the room and told police she had taken a nap and did not see Haskett-Carrasco.
When the woman woke up, she saw the victim face down, "mostly underneath her own bed," covered with bedsheets, and called authorities, documents report.
As they were investigating, Northrup returned to the scene, documents stated. Officials found blood splattered on a bag she was carrying as well as blood splatters throughout the room.
Officials detailed that during the search of the room, investigators found a metal can of Ensure nutrition powder with blood and hair on the bottom of it, as well as blood on the air conditioning unit and door frame.
"It had been previously reported to shelter staff that both the defendant and the victim had a strained relationship," formal charges stated. The third roommate told police that the two women would "bicker" a lot.
When questioned by officials, Northrup "refused to make a statement and invoked her right to an attorney," documents state.
She is being held without bail in the Salt Lake County Jail.
The shelter used to be a motel and was transformed into transitional housing for at-risk seniors experiencing homelessness and other medically vulnerable individuals, FOX 13 News previously reported.
"This is really the first call we’ve had of this nature at the MVP," said Sandy Police Sgt. Greg Moffitt. "It is relatively new and we are still working through the growing pains."
“The MVP shelter is a place for those in a medically compromised state to find safety and solitude," said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill in part. "This violent act has shaken the community, and our hearts go out to the loved ones of Ms. Haskett-Carrasco."
