Utah gang member gets 15 years to life for shooting girlfriend, leaving her body by dumpster after she ended relationship

SALT LAKE CITY (TCN) -- A man has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of a woman who had just broken up with him. 

Fred Jason Edwards, then 46, shot 25-year-old Esperanza Chavez on Jan. 20, 2024, according to KUTV. She had broken up with Edwards and was in the process of moving out of state with her parents’ help when Edwards arrived at her parents’ home. She got into his car, where she was fatally shot.

Police received a 911 call that day reporting that a body had been found by a dumpster, according to KTVX. Police viewed surveillance footage that showed Edwards attempting and failing to put the body inside the dumpster. He then placed the body against the side of the dumpster and drove away. 

Later that day, he attempted to check himself into a psychiatric facility and was apprehended in the waiting room, per KUTV. KTVX reports that police were able to find him because his license plate was visible in the surveillance footage.

KUTV reports Edwards was sentenced on July 1 and received 893 days of credit for time served. He had originally been charged with first-degree murder with a mental condition, felony discharge of a firearm, obstruction of justice, possession of a dangerous weapon by a restricted person, and abuse or desecration of a dead human body. All charges except the murder charge were dismissed as part of a plea agreement.

On Oct. 10, 2025, Edwards pleaded guilty with a mental condition to the first-degree murder charge, according to KSL. He admitted he caused Chavez’s death with a firearm but was suffering from schizoaffective disorder at the time. Court documents obtained by KUTV state Edwards participated in a behavioral health program before sentencing.

Edwards had been charged with assault against Chavez in the past and had a criminal history including gang involvement, per KTVX. KSL reports that the charging document from October 2023 involving Chavez say Edwards “grabbed Esperanza by the back of the head and slammed it against the steering wheel. Esperanza said that Edwards grabbed her face and wrapped his fingers around her right eye socket. Esperanza stated that she felt like Edwards was trying to grab onto her eyeball and take it out.”

KSL reports Chavez had broken up with Edwards after he allegedly stabbed her in the arm, and that he was continuing to contact her despite an order of protection. He killed her while her parents were helping her move to a different state to get away from him.

KJZZ reports Edwards was offered multiple plea deals over the years related to domestic violence cases involving other women.

According to KUTV, Edwards’ restitution hearing is scheduled for Nov. 5. 

MORE: