FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 15, 2025

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SLCPD Provides Update in Downtown Double Homicide Investigation, 3 People in Custody

SALT LAKE CITY — Detectives with the Salt Lake City Police Department’s Homicide Squad have arrested three people in connection with a double homicide that occurred in downtown.

This investigation began around 12:30 a.m. on April 15, 2025, when officers responded to a report of a shooting at a hotel located at 171 West 500 South.

Officers arrived and found two men with critical injuries. Despite life-saving efforts, both men died on scene.

The identities of the deceased will not be released until next of kin notifications are complete.

During the investigation, detectives arrested 40-year-old Tiffani Papach, 38-year-old Kendra Mitchell and 56-year-old Kevin Thrower.

According to court documents, Mitchell told detectives she had been contacted by the person renting the hotel room to meet in person, and a dispute occurred shortly after her arrival.

Mitchell allegedly contacted Papach to send two men to the hotel as “security” or “protection” regarding the payment dispute.

Papach and the two men later arrived—one man armed with a handgun—and forced their way into the hotel room.

The men reportedly assaulted the renter and demanded money before stealing his car keys.

At some point during the confrontation and assault, the two men were shot. Both died from their injuries.

Detectives booked Papach into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of obstruction of justice, aggravated robbery, and aggravated burglary.

Detectives booked Mitchell into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on charges of aggravated burglary and aggravated robbery.

Thrower is accused of obstructing the investigation by misleading officers who were searching for Mitchell.

When officers approached him, he allegedly claimed Mitchell had run off, even though she was standing next to him.

According to court documents, Thrower later denied knowing Mitchell’s identity or anything about the incident.

However, Mitchell told detectives she had informed Thrower about the shootings before they were contacted by police. She also said Thrower told her not to say anything, according to court documents.

Detectives booked Thrower into the Salt Lake County Metro Jail on a charge of obstruction of justice.

The investigation remains ongoing.

At this time, the shooter has not been arrested. That person’s name is not being released.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to contact the Salt Lake City Police Department at 801-799-3000 and reference case number 25-84745.

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 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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