Missing Salt Lake woman found dead in Missouri

A Salt Lake woman reported missing late last week, who had received threats by her ex-boyfriend, was found dead Monday night in Branson, Mo.

The body of Deborah Jones, 50, was found in a plastic storage container in the back seat of her missing gray Volkswagen Passat outside a motel late Monday night, according to Branson police.

Inside the motel, police found Jones' former live-in boyfriend, Michael Jerome Doyel, 47, and a second woman, Patricia Murray, 59, of West Valley City, who also had been missing for a couple of days.

As of Tuesday morning, Salt Lake Police Chief Chris Burbank said there were numerous unanswered questions about the case. He released limited information about the investigation, saying he wanted to wait until detectives had the chance to interview the parties involved before more about the case was revealed.

Burbank wasn't prepared to classify Jones' death as a homicide Tuesday morning, but said it was definitely suspicious.

Branson Police Chief Carrol McCullough said Jones' body was taken to Springfield. An autopsy was planned for Tuesday.

McCullough said preliminary autopsy results may be available later Tuesday or on Wednesday. Based on a preliminary investigation, McCullough said, Jones may have

been dead before the Volkswagen ever arrived in Missouri.

Doyel and Murray were being questioned by officers Tuesday, but as of 11 a.m. no arrests had been made. Burbank said a Salt Lake detective was sent to Missouri to interview the two.

The Salt Lake Police Department was working closely with police in Branson, the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office and the Utah Attorney General's Office, he said.

Burbank did not release or have information Tuesday about how Jones died, or how either Doyel or Murray might be involved.

Murray, who has diminished mental capacity, disappeared about the same time as Doyel and Jones. Neighbors of the West Valley woman told police they saw her leave with Doyel in a vehicle sometime between April 17 and 19. Police declined Tuesday to say in what vehicle they were seen leaving.

Murray lives in an apartment complex near 3100 South and 3500 West that is designed for retired people and people who have special needs.