UT UT - Belen Perez, 60, Provo, 21 May 2014

colette

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• May 23, 2014

• #1

Belen Perez was found by her son inside near the entryway of the home. She had been strangled and had drain cleaner poured on her face. A neighbor who tried help had seen the crime scene.

“They had put liquid plumber on her head, obviously, cause it was all over the carpet and her face was covered in it,” she said.

There is no person of interest at this time.

http://fox13now.com/2014/05/21/woma...home-police-say-situation-is-very-suspicious/

 

colette

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• May 23, 2014

• #2

Kimberly Bennett, a neighbor, heard screams from Perez's son and ran into the house. Perez was lying on the floor, her phone just out of reach. Bennett said she called 911 but knew there was nothing anyone could do to help.

The victim was found with a cord around her neck and a strong chemical possibly bleach poured over her body.



Read more at http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=29994078#85RjK3fFt8qMeyKC.99

 

colette

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• May 24, 2014

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This link has a good video and an interview with the neighbor who saw the crime scene. LE saw no signs of forced entry. The neighborhood has been over-run with drug activity lately. The victim and her son lived there for years and have no criminal activity in the home. LE says the son seems very distraught and is not considered a suspect at this time.

The neighbor did say the victim had bleach on her clothes and liquid plumber on her head and a cord around her neck.

"She didn't speak a lot of English, and she was so kind and loving," Bennett said. "From what I saw, this was planned and brutal. I don't know why someone would do something like this to someone so sweet."

Lt. Siufanua said the son is cooperating with investigators and is not considered a suspect.

http://www.kutv.com/news/features/local/stories/vid_6794.shtml

 

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AQuestion

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• Jun 11, 2014

• #4

Dear Colette,

Now that is very interesting. This person used two types of liquid to destroy the DNA evidence and specifically one just for the head. It is possible that the killer of Pastor Daniels used more than one type of liquid. This is now two women in their 60s killed while alone with their heads the target of hiding DNA evidence.

 

colette

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• Jun 28, 2014

• #5

Still no arrest.

Sifuanua said police would love to talk to anyone who was in the area of Perez's home the day she died. Siufanua said detectives are still actively investigating the case and following up on leads they have received so far.

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/loc...cle_532f3ce7-0335-5af7-9b8c-074cff8466d6.html

 

colette

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• Sep 13, 2014

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LE has offered a reward of $2,000. Le says they have some leads and evidence is still being processed.
Anyone with information about this case is asked to give Provo police a call at 801-852-6210.

http://www.kutv.com/news/top-stories/stories/vid_13653.shtml

My guess it is someone in the neighborhood. Belan was a very tiny lady, an easier victim in some ways. I hope they catch this guy soon. He may kill again, if he hasn't already.

 

OkieGranny

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• Dec 10, 2015

• #7

From May 2015:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/...g-of-Provo-woman-remains-unsolved.html?pg=all

A year ago, Belen Perez was found dead inside her home.

Provo police say they still consider the murder investigation to be active, but it is beginning to get cold as time goes on...

"We have obtained evidence from the scene that we have not been able to link to any specific suspect at this time," Post said.

Click to expand...

 

colette

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• Dec 10, 2015

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Thanks OkieGranny. I did find a good video that explains the case and has an interview with her son. LE does have DNA so it's only a matter of time before the killer is caught.

http://fox13now.com/2015/02/24/agon...rly-a-year-after-his-mothers-unsolved-murder/

 

iulia

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• Mar 20, 2019

• #9

Trial set for man charged with 2014 killing of Provo woman

Jared Gourdin, 34, was charged in 4th District Court with one first-degree felony charge of homicide committed for pecuniary gain.

A pretrial conference is set for April 17, and the 16-day jury trial is scheduled for Sept. 16 through Oct. 11.

Prosecutors have 60 days to file whether or not they intend to seek the death penalty.

Gourdin was charged in August 2018 after a four-year investigation into the death of Belen Perez, who was found dead in her Provo home on May 21, 2014.

 

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• Dec 18, 2019

• #10

Man found guilty for murder of Provo woman in 2014
Dec 17, 2019
"PROVO, Utah (ABC4 News)- A man was found guilty for murder in a case that went unsolved for nearly 5 years.

The jury deliberated for about six hours before finding Jerad Gourdin, 34, guilty of aggravated murder for pecuniary gain."

"Gourdin is currently an inmate at the Utah State Prison, serving time for stabbing someone with a screwdriver the day after Perez was killed.

He will be sentenced on January 22, 2020. He faces 25 years to life or life without the possibility of parole."

Utah man is charged with 2014 murder of woman | Daily Mail Online

 

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• Sep 19, 2022

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Utah man gets life without parole after jailhouse confession to 2014 murder

Jerad Gourdin will serve life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2014 murder of 60-year-old Belen Perez in her Provo home. KUTV. 4th District Court Judge Thomas Low made the ruling last week, and Gourdin was remanded to the custody of the Utah County Sheriff's Office, to be...

kutv.com

January 26th 2020

"Utah man gets life without parole after jailhouse confession to 2014 murder

Jerad Gourdin will serve life in prison without the possibility of parole for the 2014 murder of 60-year-old Belen Perez in her Provo home.

In April 2014, Gourdin, 35, was released from prison and moved into a house two doors down from Perez's home on 50 North in west Provo.

She was found strangled to death with an extension cord on May 21, 2014. Police believe Perez walked in on Gourdin burglarizing her home when he killed her, according to court documents obtained by 2News in August 2018.

Her son, Carlos Barcelata, discovered his mother's body. Investigators had trouble identifying her killer because she was found doused in bleach.

Perez's son spoke at Gourdin's sentencing. He said he still lives in his mother's home and struggles to cope with the trauma of finding her murdered."