SALT LAKE CITY — A homicide investigation in Salt Lake City has led to an arrest after police said a man’s body was discovered on a sidewalk Monday morning near 1700 South and 300 East.
Discovery of the body
According to the Salt Lake City Police Department, officers responded on May 25, 2026, to reports of a possible death in the area. When they arrived, they found a man’s body on the sidewalk near a utility cart. Police said the victim had been wrapped in garbage bags and plastic.
Details of the fleeing suspect
Investigators said the case quickly escalated into a homicide investigation after witnesses reported seeing a man pushing a cart containing the body. Police said the cart tipped over after striking a curb, leaving the body behind as the suspect fled the scene.
Sgt. Greg Wilking with Salt Lake City Police Department described what witnesses reported seeing.
“We had a gentleman that was pushing a cart and on that cart was a body. He hit a curb, cart spilled, body was left there, cart was left there and this guy took off,” Wilking said.
Medical examiner's cause of death
The Utah State Medical Examiner later ruled the death a homicide, citing blunt force trauma and asphyxiation.
Search warrant and evidence found
Detectives initially worked to identify the victim before executing a search warrant at his apartment. Investigators said they found evidence inside the home consistent with a violent crime and signs of a struggle.
“They were able to obtain a warrant for his address and at that point when they made entry, they saw things that were related to the homicide,” Wilking said.
Arrest of the victim's roommate
Police also learned the victim’s roommate, 47-year-old Bently Scow, had already been in custody at the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on unrelated retail theft charges. Following further investigation and interviews, Scow was arrested in connection with the homicide.
Motive and specific criminal charges
According to investigators, Scow and the victim had been in a sexual relationship and got into an argument prior to the killing. Police said Scow is accused of killing the victim and attempting to dispose of the body in a dumpster.
Scow has been booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on charges including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and desecration of a human body. Authorities emphasize that all charges are allegations and Scow is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
The victim’s identity has not yet been released as police continue working to notify next of kin.
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