PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

SLC Murder Suspect Arrested in California Following SWAT Standoff

SALT LAKE CITY — Today, the Salt Lake City Police Department announced the arrest of 42-year-old Timote Fonua in connection to the murder of Blaire Leavitt.

On March 16, 2022, a judge found probable cause to issue an arrest warrant.

Fonua is charged with one count of Murder and one count of Aggravated Burglary.

On July 27, 2022, the Salt Lake City Police Department received information that law enforcement took Fonua into custody following a SWAT standoff in the 100-block of Grant Street in San Mateo, California.

Any extradition hearings in this case will be held in San Mateo County.

This investigation started at 7:41 a.m. on July 27, 2019 when Salt Lake City Police responded to a residence near 1200 North Redwood Road. Officers arrived and located Ms. Leavitt with a gunshot wound. Paramedics immediately transported Ms. Leavitt to the hospital for emergency surgery but unfortunately, she died at the hospital.

SLCPD Homicide Detectives responded to the scene and began conducting a thorough investigation, which resulted in detectives learning the identities of six suspects in the murder of Ms. Leavitt and the obstruction of justice that has occurred since her death.

In February, detectives arrested a 36-year-old woman for obstruction of justice in connection to the murder of Ms. Leavitt.

In March, the Maui, Hawaii Police Department arrested a 26-year-old man in connection to this case.

No further information on this case is being released. Neither the PIO nor the On-Duty Watch Commander are available for interviews.

This remains an ongoing investigation. Anyone with information about this case should contact 801-799-3000 and reference the “Blaire Leavitt” homicide.

Charges are only allegations, and every arrested person is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Salt Lake City Police Department recognizes the San Mateo Police Department, the United States Marshals Service and San Mateo County’s North Central Regional SWAT team for their assistance on this case.

The Salt Lake City Police Department is not the custodian of record for jail booking photos. Utah Code 17-22-30 mostly prohibits the release of jail booking photos. Generally, a jail booking photo can only be released by the custodian of record after a conviction or when law enforcement determines the person is a fugitive or an imminent threat to a person or public safety. In Salt Lake City, the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is the custodian of record for jail booking photos.

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