The man accused of killing 5-year-old Destiny Norton was one of the hundreds of people who ventured out into the hot summer temperatures to search for the missing girl.

It wasn't until days later that Salt Lake City police found Destiny's body inside Craig Roger Gregerson's apartment — just two doors from her home.

"After knowing what he did, he was still there," searcher Stephanie Archuleta said. Others confirmed to the Deseret Morning News that Gregerson participated in the search effort, handing out fliers and claiming to be looking for the girl.

Investigators believe Destiny was standing barefoot outside her family's home on the warm summer evening of July 16. The little girl with blond hair and a mischievous smile filled with silver teeth had just finished a bath when she went outside.

Police said Gregerson spotted her — and that minutes later she was dead.

According to a police booking report from the Salt Lake County Jail, Gregerson opened the gate to the back yard and lured Destiny into his house.

"The juvenile female began to scream. Suspect Gregerson put his hand over the juvenile's mouth and began to squeeze. The juvenile female went limp and suspect Gregerson laid her body on the floor," the jail probable cause statement said.

Police found Destiny's body in the basement of an apartment just two doors from her home Monday night. Officers arrested Gregerson on investigation of kidnapping and murder.

Destiny's family was both devastated and enraged by the news.

"This was a 5-year-old child," Destiny's uncle, Peter Brooks, said, seething. "That is cold-blooded murder!"

Gregerson, 20, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail at 1:42 a.m. Tuesday on investigation of criminal homicide and child kidnapping. He is being held without bail. Gregerson was being kept in a cell by himself in an area reserved for prisoners that need to be isolated for their own protection, jail officials said.

Salt Lake City Police Chief Chris Burbank said the man they arrested was cooperating. An autopsy was performed on Destiny on Tuesday. The Salt Lake District Attorney's Office is expected to begin screening some of the case against Gregerson today or tomorrow.

"We will be soon," assistant district attorney Bob Stott said.

'It's closure'

Destiny's parents spent the day in seclusion. Tuesday was the birthday of Ricky and Rachael Norton's daughter Trinity, who turned 1. They spent part of the day holding a small birthday celebration for her.

"They were trying to keep a happy face on for the baby," said Donna Archuleta, who attended the party.