3rd man arrested in shooting death

A third man has been arrested in connection with the slaying of a woman at Jordanelle State Park — and authorities tell the Deseret News more people could be apprehended.

Jason Floyd Cowdell, 29, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail about 4:30 a.m. Tuesday on felony homicide and a misdemeanor warrant on drug possession from West Valley City. He was arrested at a home in Murray, jail records said.

Cowdell appeared in a booking mug provided by the jail heavily tattooed, including the words "MOST HATED" scrawled across his cheeks.

According to a probable cause statement filed by state parks officers investigating Ashley Sparks' slaying, Cowdell "facilitated in the delivery of the victim to the suspected shooter" Christopher Alvey, 19.

"Cowdell drove the victim along with another male to ... Alvery's (sic) location and according to the witnesses, turned her over to Alvery (sic). Cowdell and the other male with him know that the victim could be killed if they took her to ... Alvey. Cowdell acted with depraved indifference to the life of the female victim," the investigator wrote.

Investigators did not reveal who the other man is mentioned in the jail documents.

"It is possible that there may be other arrests," said Utah State Parks spokeswoman Deena Loyola. "The investigation is ongoing."

Cowdell is the third person to be arrested in connection with the death of Sparks, 21, who was shot four times and left to die near the Jordanelle visitors center. Two people came across her Friday and called 911. Sparks was rushed to a hospital where she later died.

Police have also arrested Joshua Binkerd, 22, and Alvey on investigation of murder. Authorities have said that Sparks, Binkerd and Alvey were all acquaintances. Sparks' mother has claimed that her daughter was a drug informant who had been threatened by the two men.

Officers on Monday would not confirm that claim but said Sparks had received threats in recent weeks leading up to her death.

On Tuesday, Alvey appeared in Salt Lake City's 3rd District Court on unrelated charges of third-degree felony forgery and attempted theft by deception, a class B misdemeanor. Wearing an orange jumpsuit and appearing via video from the Salt Lake County Jail, he was appointed a public defense attorney, and a January court appearance was scheduled.

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Contributing: Linda Thomson

E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com