MONDAY 7/5/2021 12:00 p.m.
SANDY, Utah (ABC4) – Sandy Police say a man has been taken into custody for the death of a Sandy woman previously reported missing.
On Friday, 53-year-old Masako Kenley was last seen on video surveillance traveling to have dinner with friends in Layton. She never made it to her destination.
Instead, her vehicle was found near the Sandy Costco, about three miles from where detectives found her body.
Monday morning, authorities told ABC4 Kenley’s death was suspicious.
After working through the information, investigators identified a suspect, 75-year-old William O’Reilly. Sandy Police say O’Reilly and Kenley were acquaintances and this was not an abduction case.
BELOW: Sandy Police give update after missing woman found dead near Jordan River
Kenley’s death has been ruled a homicide.
O’Reilly has been arrested on charges of first-degree aggravated murder, first-degree desecration of a corpse, and second-degree obstruction of justice.
An autopsy is scheduled to take place later in the day on Monday.
Body of missing Sandy woman found, death ‘suspicious’
MONDAY 7/5/2021 5:58 a.m.
SANDY, Utah (ABC4) – The body of a missing Sandy woman has been located.
Sandy Police called on the community to help locate 53-year-old Masako Kenley, who was last seen Friday. She had last been seen traveling toward Layton to have dinner with friends.
Early Monday morning, hours after dozens of people searched for Kenley, Sandy Police confirmed her body had been located by detectives along the Jordan River near 8900 South 700 West.
Rocky Mountain Rescue Dogs, Inc. assisted in the search because of the thick brush and heavily wooded area.
According to Sandy Police, Kenley’s death is being investigated as suspicious.
Authorities tell ABC4 they have video of Kenley driving toward Layton on Friday. Her car was later found abandoned near the Costco on South Auto Mall Drive.
Investigators focused their efforts around where Kenley’s car was found and where she was last seen driving.
Her vehicle was located about three miles from where detectives found her body.
Kenley is a mother and heavily involved in her community and church.
ORIGINAL STORY: Police search for missing Sandy woman
SUNDAY 7/4/2021 1:39 p.m.
SANDY, Utah (ABC4) – Officers are urging community members to help locate a missing Sandy woman, Saturday.
According to the Sandy Police Department, 53-year-old Masako Kenley went missing on July 2.
Police say, Kenley was last seen heading northbound toward Layton, for dinner with some friends around 4:00 p.m.
Officers state Kenley was seen driving a White Honda Odyssey, with license plate 117PJP. Her vehicle was later discovered abandoned near 11100 South Auto Mall Drive.
Kenley is described as a Japanese woman with long black hair. She was last seen wearing a blue floral shirt, dark blue jeans, and dark blue sandals.
If you have any information regarding the location of Masako Kenley, contact the Sandy Police Department at 801-568-7200.
“The Sandy Police Department appreciates the help and assistance of Masako’s friends, neighbors, and the community that have organized and initiated searches for Masako,” they share.
