SALT LAKE CITY — Three people have been charged with abuse or desecration of a body, a third-degree felony, in connection with the discovery of a woman's body behind a downtown businesses last week.

Police said Eva Montanez likely died of a drug overdose before three individuals dumped her body and buried it in leaves behind a businesses at 900 W. North Temple on Nov. 5.

Catherine Elfida-Eichler, 55, Leo Anthony Maestas, 45, and Michael Montoya, 34, each face one felony count for moving Montanez's body from the house into the backyard, loading it into a cart and leaving it behind a shed, according to charges filed Tuesday in 3rd District Court.

The three people live together at 840 W. Emeril Ave., where it is believed Montanez died, charges state.

McKenzie Romero

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Twitter: @McKenzieRomero

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