Man jailed after beating that killed acquaintance

One man is in jail and another man is dead after what Salt Lake County Sheriff's Sgt. Paul Jaroscak called a "brutal" attack Friday night.

Jaroscak said three male acquaintances at around 11 p.m. drove to a parking area popular with teens above the Olympus Cove neighborhood. They started to hike toward Neffs Canyon for only a short distance when Christopher Hewitt, 18, allegedly began beating the other two men with a metal pipe or rod, Jaroscak said.

One of the men, Seth Coleman, was able to get away. His cries for help prompted nearby neighbors to call 911, Jaroscak said. When sheriff's deputies arrived, they found Benjamin Perkins Link, 19, who had died from his injuries.

Hewitt had left the scene and later called law enforcement officials to turn himself in. He was booked into jail for investigation of murder and attempted murder, Jaroscak said.

"At this point, it's kind of a mystery to us as to a reason," Jaroscak said. "He just started assaulting them."

The victim who survived the beating indicated the attack was "unwarranted" and investigators have been given a reason by Hewitt, but Jaroscak said that it will remain private until it comes out in court. Hewitt's car has been taken as evidence and investigators plan on obtaining a search warrant for the vehicle.