A Utah man who brutally stabbed his teenage friend more than 30 times and dismembered his body before hiding the remains in a cargo trailer has pleaded guilty to aggravated murder.
Rowdy Lee Aguilar, 21, entered the plea this week in Salt Lake County, acknowledging his role in the 2021 killing of 15-year-old Ivan Vetecnik. Prosecutors said Aguilar, then 17, carried out the attack on May 26, 2021, inside his home. He faces a sentence of 25 years to life in prison.
Surveillance footage from that morning showed Aguilar and Vetecnik walking into the home together. Hours later, Aguilar emerged alone wearing a blood-soaked shirt and was later seen at a business carrying garbage bags, according to investigators.
The grisly discovery came when Aguilar’s father found Vetecnik’s remains inside a cargo trailer near the property. Police said the trailer “smelled strongly of cleaning agents.” A bloody glove, knife, and additional body parts were recovered at the scene.
Aguilar initially denied knowing the victim, telling police he spent the day at his girlfriend’s house. Officers noted cuts on his hands, which he claimed were from preparing ribs at a barbecue. He later confessed to the killing, reportedly telling investigators, “I did it.” Authorities never disclosed a motive.
Under the plea deal, Aguilar will remain in a youth facility until age 25 before being transferred to an adult prison. Formal sentencing is set for December 5.
Family members of the victim expressed anguish after the plea. Vetecnik’s sister, Samantha VanTreese, wrote on Facebook: “But at the end of the day no amount of time in prison will ever be enough! He took my baby brother in the worst way possible!”
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