Today, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced that charges have been filed against Laura Darlene Northrup for the alleged murder of her roommate, Stephanie Lynn Haskett-Carrasco.
Ms. Northrup is charged with one count of first-degree felony murder and one count of second-degree felony obstructing justice.
On May 26, 2024, fire and police personnel were dispatched to the Medically Vulnerable People (MVP) shelter in Sandy City for assistance with an unresponsive individual. When personnel showed up to the shelter, Ms. Haskett-Carrasco was found hidden underneath her bed. She had significant blunt force trauma to her head and neck. During the search of the room, police found a metal can of Ensure nutrition powder with blood and hair on the bottom of it. There was also a red substance consistent with blood found on the in-room air conditioning unit and door frame.
Ms. Northrup and Ms. Haskett-Carrasco, along with a third individual, were all roommates together at the shelter. It had been previously reported to shelter staff that both the defendant and the victim had a strained relationship, with the third roommate telling police that Ms. Northrup and Ms. Haskett-Carrasco would “bicker” a lot.
“The MVP shelter is a place for those in a medically compromised state to find safety and solitude. This violent act has shaken the community, and our hearts go out to the loved ones of Ms. Haskett-Carrasco,” said Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. “We appreciate the detectives with the Sandy City Police Department for their efforts. All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.”