Bluffdale Parking Lot Murder: New Charges Against Man in Utah Woman’s Death
Newly released information has brought new details to light in the death of a woman whose body was found in a vehicle outside a Bluffdale convenience store on New Year’s Eve. Jacob Holt Johnson, 40, has officially been charged with aggravated murder and three other felony counts in connection with the death of his girlfriend, Summer Roney.
Charges were filed Friday by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s office against Johnson, following the discovery of Roney’s body outside a 7-Eleven convenience store shortly after midnight on December 31. A Bluffdale Police officer noticed an SUV parked at an angle across multiple spaces and began speaking with Johnson, who was found unconscious in the front seat of the vehicle. As officers investigated further, they discovered Roney’s body in the back of the SUV and took Johnson into custody.
According to the charges announced Friday, Roney’s body was found inside a cardboard box with an extension cord wrapped around her neck. She also suffered multiple bruises and lacerations to her head, arms, and legs. Among the items recovered from the vehicle were a steel hammer, an 8-inch fixed-blade knife, several hatchets, a red gas can, and a bottle of bleach.
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Further investigation into Johnson’s Herriman home revealed blood in several locations, including the master bedroom, kitchen, and basement. Detectives also found a bat, an empty bleach bottle, and two trash bags containing items stained with blood. Evidence technicians discovered blood on the basement carpet along with cleaning supplies.
A witness told police that Roney and Johnson had been in an on-and-off relationship for the past four years and described Johnson as a “hothead.” Roney reportedly told the witness on December 27 that Johnson had booked a hotel room for the two of them in downtown Salt Lake City, and she had expected him to pick her up from work the next night. That was the last time the witness heard from Roney.
Another witness described Johnson as “verbally abusive” and stated that Roney had shared with them that Johnson had physically assaulted her multiple times. The witness said Roney had told Johnson to leave her apartment, but he continued to harass her through calls and texts.
A friend of Roney’s revealed that Johnson had recently put her in a chokehold, nearly killing her, and that Roney often spoke about the abuse she suffered at his hands, including physical altercations and emotional distress.
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Johnson is currently being held without bail in jail, facing a first-degree felony aggravated murder charge, along with one count of second-degree felony obstruction of justice, one count of third-degree felony desecration of a human body, and one count of third-degree felony possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill expressed condolences to Roney’s family and loved ones, emphasizing the importance of reporting domestic violence. “If you are experiencing domestic violence or are aware of someone who may be experiencing it, please report it, so it can be investigated. If it is not reported, it cannot be investigated, and if it is not investigated, it cannot be prosecuted. Early intervention can help prevent an escalation of violence.”
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