Crime & Justice

Uncle Charged With Murder in Case of Missing 5-Year-old Utah Girl

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Alex Whipple, 21, has been charged with “aggravated murder, child kidnapping and desecration of a body.”

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Regis Duvignau/Reuters

A 21-year-old Utah man was charged with aggravated murder Wednesday in the case of his missing 5-year-old niece, ABC News reports. Logan City Police Chief Gary Jensen announced in a news conference that Alex Whipple, the uncle of Elizabeth Jessica Shelley, has been charged with “aggravated murder, child kidnapping and desecration of a body.” Shelley was last seen on May 25, and Whipple was taken into police custody on Saturday. Jensen said investigators found blood that matched Shelley’s on Whipple’s watch and sweatshirt. A bloody knife, which police believe was taken from a set at Shelley’s home, was also located. In addition, a PVC pipe with Whipple’s partial palm print was found by investigators. It is not clear when Whipple is due in court, and police say the motive is still unknown.

Read it at ABC News

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