Summit County Murder: Wife and Boyfriend Face First-Degree Murder Charges in Midvale Man's Death

The usually serene, rugged landscapes of Summit County, often a sanctuary for outdoor enthusiasts, became the backdrop for a truly grim discovery on March 26, 2026. Authorities found the body of an unnamed Midvale man in a secluded area off Browns Canyon Road, a place not far, you know, from Park City. What began as a mysterious death, naturally, soon escalated into a complex and deeply unsettling murder investigation that has now resulted in formal charges against two individuals.

Early on in the probe, the Summit County Sheriff's Office, through its Public Information Officer Sergeant Skyler Talbot, confirmed that investigators suspected foul play. It became clear quite quickly that this was no accident. Initial reports even hinted at multiple people being involved, with an "unknown number of individuals" reportedly seen moving a body near the very location where the victim was eventually discovered.

As detectives meticulously pieced together the puzzle, their focus gradually shifted to the victim's residence in Midvale. It was there that Raina Chavez Sandabal, the victim's wife, was initially brought in for questioning. She was, in fact, booked on several serious felony charges, including obstruction of justice and the truly disturbing crime of desecration of a human body. However, as the investigation deepened, the allegations against her, and indeed, against another individual, took a much more grave turn.

The investigation unearthed a harrowing narrative involving an alleged extramarital affair. Francisco Morales was identified as Raina Chavez Sandabal's boyfriend, and he became the prime suspect in the actual killing. The details that emerged were nothing short of chilling: the victim was reportedly given medication, designed to induce sleep, before being brutally murdered with a hammer while he lay unconscious. Compounding the horror, investigators allegedly found a bloody rag and, yes, a hammer within Chavez Sandabal's apartment, critical evidence that inextricably linked her to the horrific act.

Morales, whom authorities publicly described as "dangerous," became the subject of an urgent manhunt. Police asked the public for assistance, even providing a description of his possible vehicle – a maroon Honda Civic with Utah plate 5E HO. Thankfully, he was apprehended, and by early April 2026, both Raina Chavez Sandabal and Francisco Morales were formally charged with the ultimate crime: first-degree murder.

The gravity of the situation was palpable when Sandabal and Morales appeared in court on Monday morning, April 13, 2026. A judge swiftly appointed public defenders to represent both individuals, ensuring they receive legal counsel as they navigate these incredibly serious accusations. This tragic case, with its deeply disturbing layers of alleged betrayal and violence, serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact such crimes have, leaving the community grappling with the brutal reality of a life senselessly taken in our own Summit County.