Provo man is arrested in aunt's killing

PROVO — Police have arrested a Provo man in connection with the slaying of his aunt. Hikers discovered her body Sunday in Hobble Creek Canyon.

Damien Candland, 22, was booked Monday into the Utah County Jail for investigation of aggravated murder.

Authorities have not offered a theory as to why Candland allegedly killed his aunt, Amy Candland, 41. Her body was found about three miles from the mouth of the canyon east of Springville.

According to Provo Police Capt. Cliff Argyle, Amy Candland's brother — Damien Candland's father — notified the Utah County Sheriff's Office early Monday that his sister was the victim. Sheriff's officers took Damien Candland into custody.

After serving a search warrant at the house where Amy Candland lived with her nephew, at 1075 E. 300 North in Provo, investigators determined that she had been killed there. They found blankets at the Hobble Creek Canyon site that came from the house, Argyle said.

Asked what aggravating factors may have been involved, Argyle said she had suffered unusually severe injuries: "Initially we believed, looking at the body, that she may have been the victim of a sexual assault."

Police believe Amy Candland died Sunday. Argyle would not specify the manner of death other than to say she was not shot. The state medical examiner was performing an autopsy Monday.

Damien Candland has refused to make a statement to Provo police. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance Tuesday morning.

On April 15, 2009, Provo police arrested Damien Candland after his aunt reported that he stole two checks from her and took her car without her permission. An officer found marijuana seeds and a small amount of marijuana in his bedroom, according to court documents.

Candland pleaded guilty in May to theft and drug possession. He was sentenced to 25 hours of community service and a year of probation.

Candland was also due in court next Monday with his father on third-degree felony assault charges relating to a fight over a $50 drug debt. Prosecutors said Amy Candland had information about the case but had not been subpoenaed to testify at that hearing.

On Oct. 25, 2009, Damien Candland, his father and two other people went to a home near 2000 West and 450 North in Provo to confront a man about the debt, court documents state.

The parties went to a shed and a fight broke out. Candland and the others allegedly kicked the man and a family member in the head and face.

According to an affidavit filed in 4th District Court, "The victims stated that due to the severity of the beating they believed they would be seriously injured or killed if the beating continued."

Candland is also charged with assault and criminal mischief in connection with an incident Jan. 18 in Provo.

Court documents say he was unemployed and last held a job in Oklahoma.

e-mail: pkoepp@desnews.com