Utah Man Sentenced to 15 Years to Life for Shooting Ex-Girlfriend

Utah resident Fred Jason Edwards, a member of a local gang with a history of violent offenses, has been sentenced to a minimum of 15 years in prison and up to life imprisonment for the first-degree murder of his ex-girlfriend, Esperanza Chavez. The fatal shooting occurred on January 20, 2024, shortly after Chavez had ended their relationship and was preparing to move out of state with her family's assistance.

According to local news reports, Edwards arrived at Chavez’s parents' home where she was staying temporarily. After getting into his car, Chavez was fatally shot by Edwards. Following the shooting, surveillance footage captured Edwards attempting but failing to dispose of Chavez's body in a dumpster near the location. He then left her body against the side of the dumpster before fleeing the scene.

Edwards had been involved in multiple domestic violence cases and had a long-standing criminal record that included gang activity. His arrest came after he attempted to check himself into a psychiatric facility, which allowed police to locate him based on visible surveillance footage from earlier that day. In court documents obtained by KUTV, Edwards admitted to causing Chavez’s death while suffering from schizoaffective disorder at the time of the incident.

The case highlights ongoing concerns about repeated opportunities given to individuals with violent criminal histories and mental health issues. Prior to this fatal incident, Edwards had been offered multiple plea deals in connection with domestic violence cases involving other women. His sentencing on July 1, 2024, included a behavioral health program before the final judgment was handed down.