DPS NEWS

Investigators bring Maidenwater cold case to a close

DNA evidence helps to solve a 24-year-old murder case.

On April 20, 1998, an unidentified deceased female was located along highway 276 near Maidenwater Spring in Garfield County, Utah. When investigators arrived, they found what appeared to be a 37 to 45-year-old woman, covered with plastic bags, wrapped in duct tape, tied with rope, and placed inside a sleeping bag before being wrapped in a carpet. Despite an exhaustive investigation by the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office and the Utah State Bureau of Investigation, the woman was not identified, and the case went cold.

Over the next two decades, investigators continued to work the cold case with little success. All of that changed in 2018 when Agents with the Utah State Bureau of Investigation caught a break after they released a photo of the female to the public. Almost simultaneous to their release, the Youngstown, Ohio police department also released a photo in connection with a missing person’s case that dated back to April 1998. Those two pictures helped connect these cases and ultimately led to the victim’s identification. Utilizing DNA from family who traveled to Utah from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, Agents positively confirmed her identity. The woman was identified as Lina Reyes Geddes of Youngstown, Ohio. 

This identification produced leads to further DNA testing utilizing advanced DNA collection and analysis technology. A totality of newly learned information combined with DNA results ultimately identified the person responsible for her death. After 24 years, this case has finally reached a conclusion that will bring closure to the family of Lina Reyes Geddes.

Agents will share how this case was brought to a successful end. Media is invited to attend over Zoom.

When:

Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at 11:00 am

Where:

Please click the link below to join the webinar:
https://utah-gov.zoom.us/j/83553979084?pwd=QtQPWGnPiU3ZHRNDSSPy7p8A-V-fBa.1
Passcode: rT7su.3h
Or One tap mobile :
    US: +16699006833,,83553979084#,,,,*95884677#  or +12532158782,,83553979084#,,,,*95884677#
Or Telephone:
    Dial(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
        US: +1 669 900 6833  or +1 253 215 8782  or +1 346 248 7799  or +1 929 205 6099  or +1 301 715 8592  or +1 312 626 6799
Webinar ID: 835 5397 9084
Passcode: 95884677
    International numbers available: https://utah-gov.zoom.us/u/ket6JnIq9m

Who:

Sgt. Cameron Roden – Utah Highway Patrol
Agent Brian Davis – Utah State Bureau of Investigation
Detective David Sweeney – Youngstown, Ohio Police Department

Visuals:

Victim photo’s
2018 photos of sister’s visit for identification
DPS produced case video, including her sisters’ interview

Previous DPS News Posts and Information About This Case

DPS Announces Major Breakthrough in 20 Year Old Cold Case

Maidenwater Case Comes Full Circle with Bittersweet Reunion

Video About Maidenwater Case