PROVO, Utah (ABC 4 News) - A suspect has been arrested and booked into the Utah County Jail under suspicion of murder in connection to the investigation of a woman's body that was found in Hobble Creek Canyon over the weekend.
The suspect is 22-year-old Damien Allister Candland of Provo who was booked into the Utah County Jail on one charge of aggravated murder.
The victim was later identified as 41-year-old Amy Candland of Provo. Amy is Damien's aunt.
Investigators had previously called the circumstances of the woman's death "suspicious."
"They've had a difficult relationship with each other," said Provo police department Captain Cliff Argyle.
Court records indicated that the aunt was allowing the nephew to stay with her at her Provo home.
According to police her death happened inside the home Sunday.
"We do believe that is where the actual homicide took place and the victim was transported to the Hobble Creek location where she was placed," Cpt. Argyle said.
Candland was found near the Jolley's Ranch campground in Hobble Creek Canyon on Sunday. Utah County sheriff investigators were called to the scene and could not identify the
woman.
"She was wearing two hearing aids," said sheriff spokesman Sgt. Spencer Cannon. "It's a fairly unique feature and we believe very traceable."
After media reports of the unidentified woman with hearing aids was released Sunday evening, Damian's father, Keith Candlan and also Amy's brother came to the sheriff's department.
"Her brother is the one that went to the sheriff's office and told them that he believed the victim up in Hobble Creek may be his sister," said Cpt. Argyle.
Provo police executed a search warrant at Amy Candland's home and found a crime scene.
"We found evidence that linked the now arrestee Damian to the victim and to the scene at Hobble Creek," said Cpt. Argyle.
Police won't say how she was murdered but do say a gun wasn't used. And they won't disclose what the motive was.
Court records show that Amy Candland filed a police complaint against her nephew in May 2009. He was accused of stealing two checks from her and they were later found in his
bedroom at his aunt's home. In addition to theft and fraud charges he was also charged with taking her car without her permission.
And last fall, Damian, his father and a third individual were charged with aggravated assault in Provo. They're accused of beating up two young men in an attempt to recover drug
money according to court documents.
Amy Candland's body was turned over to the the Utah Medical Examiners Office where an autopsy will be performed.
Damian Candland remains jailed at the Utah County jail. He was booked in on aggravated murder.
