PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

September 25, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact Information: PolicePRUnit@slcgov.com

Update: SLCPD Homicide Detectives Arrest 20-Year-Old Man for Murder

SALT LAKE CITY — Overnight, detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Homicide Squad booked a 20-year-old man into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail for the alleged murder of 24-year-old Lyberdee Cisneros.

This investigation started at 8:25 p.m. on Sunday September 25, 2022, when SLC911 received a 9-1-1 call about a shooting that had just occurred at 718 North 900 West, the Downtown West Apartments.

When patrol officers arrived on scene, they immediately came up with a tactical plan to enter the apartment unit to secure the scene, provide life-saving medical aid, and look for any suspects.

Officers found Cisneros inside an apartment unit with at least one gunshot wound. Officers applied a chest seal and started performing CPR. Gold Cross Ambulance and the Salt Lake City Fire Department assisted the SLCPD with life-saving efforts.

Gold Cross Ambulance, with the assistance of SLCFD, took Cisneros to the hospital in critical condition where she later died.

While officers provided medical attention to Cisneros, other officers detained two men inside the apartment, including Jayden Wade Fernelius.

Officers found a 9mm handgun on Fernelius when they took him into custody.

Based on statements made by witnesses, Fernelius and forensic evidence from the scene, detectives believe Fernelius is responsible for murdering Cisneros, his girlfriend.

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 reminds our community of the resources available to support survivors of domestic violence in Utah.

·         Utah Department of Human Services: Domestic Violence Services

·         Utah Domestic Violence Coalition

We encourage anyone who has experienced Domestic Violence to call us at 801-799-3000 and ask to speak with a Victim Advocate or call their 24-hour hotline directly at 801-580-7969. All services are free, and callers can get information anonymously.

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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