MAGNA — The two people found dead in Magna this week in separate locations and on different days were acquaintances, but police said they still do not know if the homicides are related.
The body of 26-year-old Shelli Marie Brown was found in Copper Park, 8941 W. 2600 South, Wednesday morning. Detectives have not released a possible cause of her death.
Two days earlier, the body of Stevan Ryan Chambers, 26, of Magna, was found in the street, 2900 S. 8990 West. Police said he was shot.
Thursday, Unified Police Lt. Lex Bell said investigators had learned that Chambers and Brown were acquaintances. But Bell said there was no preliminary evidence that showed the deaths are connected.
Unified police continued extra patrols in Magna on Thursday. Bell said the beefed-up police presence will continue until the investigations are resolved.
Brown had been involved in several criminal incidents, including a high-speed chase with police through Sandy and West Valley City earlier this year.
In April, Brown was a passenger in a vehicle driven by Jared Lance, 34, of Salt Lake City. Lance led officers on a chase that reached speeds of 100 mph and attempted to hit at least two officers in the process, according to investigators.
While the chase was in progress, Brown allegedly threw drug paraphernalia out the car window, according to charging documents. When she was arrested and was taken to the Salt Lake County Jail, she admitted to having drugs and drug paraphernalia concealed on her body, the charges state.
Lance, who has an extensive criminal history, was charged in May with several felonies in connection with the chase. While awaiting trial for that case, court records show Lance was arrested and charged with additional felonies on Aug. 5.
Brown was also wanted on a warrant at that time for shoplifting, for which she was convicted and sentenced to five days in jail. In 2014, she took a plea in abeyance to possession of marijuana and spice, according to court records. However, she failed to pay her fines, according to court documents. A court hearing on that case was scheduled for Aug. 10 but she failed to show up, court records stated.
Brown also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug possession in 2007.
Email: preavy@deseretnews.com
Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam