UT 6-yr old, Sierra Newbold, abducted from her bedroom found dead/Neighbor, 41 yr old Terry Lee Black arrested/5.24.2013 Black ordered to appear for a prelim hearing on 7.29 on chgs of agg murder, child kidnapping & rape of a child, + more chgs

WEST JORDAN, Utah – A 6-year-old Utah girl was found dead in a canal Tuesday after her mother reported her missing from her bedroom.
Police say Sierra Newbold was sexually assaulted, murdered and left in the canal near her home in West Jordan, a suburb of Salt Lake City, Fox 13 reports.
The girl's grandfather tells The Associated Press the child's mother went into her bedroom at about 7:30 a.m. Tuesday morning and Sierra was gone.
"We don't have any idea how the girl disappeared or whether she was taken from the bedroom," Reed Newbold told The Associated Press. "It's a complete mystery."
Police say they found the child's body in the canal just 30 minutes after her mother reported her missing. An autopsy revealed she had been sexually assaulted and investigators officially ruled her death a homicide Wednesday.
Police Chief Doug Diamond says at this point investigators have no suspects, but believe the murder was an isolated incident.
He said that while residents in the area shouldn't panic, "there's obviously a predator out there."
"Our highest priority now is to identify, arrest, and successfully prosecute the person or persons responsible for this crime," Diamond said. "I share in the concern of our residents for the ongoing safety and security of our children."
Police say the child's parents are cooperating in the investigation, and Newbold says the parents are not suspects.
Police said there were no signs of a break-in at the family's home, but declined to provide further details of the investigation.

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Tragedy: Six-year-old Sierra Newbold's death has been ruled a homicide Wednesday with an autopsy determining she had also been sexually assaulted

Tragedy of girl, 6, who vanished from her bedroom and was found murdered in a Utah canal less than an hour later

Salt Lake City residents are being warned to beware of a sexual predator after a six-year-old girl was found dead in a canal near her home.
Little Sierra Newbold was discovered one hour after her mother reported her missing in the suburb of West Jordan and following an autopsy report it was confirmed she had been sexually assaulted.
'At this time no suspects have been identified and we do not have any persons of interest,' said Police Chief Doug Diamond.

He added that while residents in the area shouldn’t panic, 'there’s obviously a predator out there.'
'Our highest priority now is to identify, arrest, and successfully prosecute the person or persons responsible for this crime,' said Diamond
'I share in the concern of our residents for the ongoing safety and security of our children.'
The chief said he has increased police patrols in the area and is asking parents to take precautions to protect their children.
'If during the course of this investigation an imminent threat becomes known, we will share that information with our residents immediately,' he said.
Diamond said the girl’s parents have been cooperating in the investigation.
Officers found Sierra’s body in the canal about a block from her home, just 30 minutes after her mother “discovered she was not there and called us,” police Sgt. Drew Sanders said.
Sanders declined to comment on any possible motive in the case. Investigators also are withholding a precise chain of events leading to the girl’s disappearance.
'We haven’t come to any conclusion,” Sanders said. He said police have 'tons of leads' and 'it’s paramount we find out who did this.'
Police have said there were no signs of a break-in at the family’s home, and they declined to release any more details about the case.

'We don't have any idea' how Sierra disappeared or whether she was taken from the bedroom, her grandfather Reed Newbold told The Associated Press. 'It's a complete mystery.'
The parents 'are devastated by this,' he said. No working telephone number could be found for the parents. The grandfather declined to provide it.
Reed Newbold said the family isn't suspected of being involved in the girl's disappearance with them having been fully cooperative with investigators.
Surveillance footage taken of the area surrounding the girl's home is currently under investigation.
'Our contacts at the FBI have been helping us with that. They’ve been working on enhancing that [surveillance video],' Mr Sanders told Fox 13.
'Right now, we do know that there are images on there and our investigators are analyzing that and trying to determine what use those are and if any evidence exists,' he said.
He declined to say how long Sierra had been dead before discovered by police and if the autopsy was able to collect any DNA evidence, so as to not jeopardize their investigation, according to the Salt Lake City Tribune.
Mr Sanders also declined to comment on any possible suspects or a motive in the case.

We haven't come to any conclusion,' said Mr Sanders. He said police have 'tons of leads' and 'it's paramount we find out who did this.'
The girl's dad had left for work some time before her absence was noticed but her mother. Her younger sister and elder brother were also at home.
According to West Jordan Police Chief Doug Diamond on Tuesday, 'there was not a significant amount of trauma on the body,' he said speaking to the Tribune, leading to them being initially uncertain of whether foul play had occurred or not.
Mr Sanders dismissed a neighborhood rumor on Wednesday that the girl's disappearance was connected to a weekend grass fire that gutted two houses and drew onlookers to the girl's neighborhood.
Reed Newbold said the onlookers possibly widen the field of suspects.
However, police determined the house fires were 'completely unrelated' to the girl's disappearance, Mr Sanders said.Police have said there were no signs of a break-in at the family's home, located near 2400 West and 7100 South.
Officers cordoned off parts of the neighbourhood and searched rubbish bins for evidence that may help piece together what happened to the girl.
Dive teams were expected to be brought in to search the canal.
An announcement for the child's funeral scheduled for this Saturday described the child as quick to make friends while outgoing and a member of her local soccer team.
'She was eager to grow up, drive, and get her “very own” cell phone. She loved to draw and was an incredible artist at a very young age. She loved dancing, hiking, and being active. She loved life and lived it to the fullest,' it read.
'She had the amazing ability to make everyone happy with her big brown eyes and her beautiful smile.'The West Jordan community, where two houses burned to the ground on Saturday after a tree fell on a power line, was mourning the death of the young girl as well.
Neighbour, Claire Evenson, whose daughter was a school friend of Sierra, told Deseret News residents were struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss.
She described the girl as smart and full of life and said she loved to dance and play dress ups.
'She was going to start first grade with my daughter,' Ms Evenson said.
'They were so excited for that. This is just hard for everyone to wrap their mind around.'
'We’re dedicated to trying to get to the bottom of what happened to Sierra,' Mr Diamond said during a news conference.
'Our hearts go out to the family of this young girl.'


Young life: Pictured, right, in the arms of her mother and beside her other sisters, Sierra played on her local soccer team and had just graduated kindergarten according to family


Child's life: Sierra, pictured, is described by family as outgoing, eager to make friends and who loved to dance and draw


Missing: The girl's mother, pictured left with her husband, Sierra and other daughter, reported her missing from her bedroom in the early hours of Tuesday without any sign of a forced entry into their home


Tragic morning: Sierra is pictured on the shoulders of her father who had already left for work when she was found missing


Sisters: Sierra's sister Taylor was said to be the six-year-old's best friend whom she did everything with. The two pictured together

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Sierra Lynn Newbold
“Our Sweet Angel”
Our precious daughter, sister, and friend Sierra was tragically taken from us on June 26, 2012 in West Jordan, Utah. She was born November 8, 2005 in Salt Lake City, to Kathy and Brad Newbold.
Sierra was outgoing and made friends everywhere she went. She was eager to grow up, drive, and get her “very own” cell phone. She loved to draw and was an incredible artist at a very young age. She loved dancing, hiking, and being active. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was a proud member of the West Jordan Youth Soccer team “Orange Crush”. She learned to read and loved reading while in kindergarten and was looking forward to starting first grade. Her best friend was her little sister, Taylor. They did everything together. She had the amazing ability to make everyone happy with her big brown eyes and her beautiful smile.
Those looking forward to seeing her again are her Mom and Dad, (Kathy and Brad), Sisters Aubrey, Jami, and Taylor, her incredible Big Brother Troy, “Stepbrother” Bobby, Grandma and Grandpa Newbold (Reed and Francis), Grandma and Grandpa Mahoney (Dan and Pat); several Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends. Those rejoicing with her in a sweet reunion are her Grandma Newbold (Enid), Aunt Sydni, Uncles Brian and Neal, and Cousin Heather.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday June 30, at the West Jordan 27th Ward, 2666 West 7000 South. A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, June 29th at the church as well as an hour and a half prior to services on Saturday.
The family would like to thank the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from our family, neighborhood family, and community. Sierra will leave a huge hole in the hearts of everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed and is loved dearly by her family and friends.

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‘Monsters’: No leads yet in West Jordan girl’s assault, death
West Jordan police chief says, “Unfortunately, we have people out there who are monsters.”
By Janelle Stecklein | The Salt Lake Tribune

West Jordan •Police late Wednesday said they have no suspects and no persons of interest in connection with the Tuesday slaying of 6-year-old Sierra Newbold, whose body was found in a canal.

The girl’s death has been ruled a homicide, and police said the autopsy showed evidence that the girl was sexually assaulted.
"There’s obviously a predator out there," West Jordan Police Chief Doug Dia­mond told news reporters. "Unfortunately, we have people out there who are monsters."
Diamond said no one had been ruled out as a suspect, including members of the girl’s family, who continue to cooperate with the investigation.

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It is so darn scary that kids are not even safe in their own beds anymore. She was a beautiful little girl. 6 yrs old just like my little Katie.

Utah Cops Seek Killer of Sierra Newbold, 6

Salt Lake City police are on a manhunt for the sexual predator who raped and murdered 6-year-old Sierra Newbold, found in a canal near her West Jordan home less than an hour after she went missing on Tuesday.

Autopsy results confirmed Wednesday that the toddler was sexually assaulted, but cops have not released any solid information about the possible identity of the killer. The community is on edge, shocked by the realization a child killer is on the loose in the normally safe neighborhood.

Police immediately launched a search for the child within minutes of being alerted by her parents she was missing from her bedroom early Tuesday morning.

Tragically, Sierra Newbold was found soon after in a canal ditch not far from her house, in virtually the first place cops looked.

Naturally, in cases like this, initial suspicion is cast on family members, but police are not releasing any information about what they suspect may have happened to the toddler.

The only detail released, so far, has been that there didn't seem to be signs of a break-in at the home.

"We haven't come to any conclusion," said West Jordan police Sgt. Drew Sanders. But he admitted they have "tons of leads" and "it's paramount we find out who did this."
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HORRIFIC!!

Sierra Newbold's body was found in an empty canal a block from her home just 30 minutes after her mother reported her missing. Now police are seeking the individual who sexually assaulted and murdered the young girl.

Newbold, 6, went missing on Tuesday, and her mother Kathy immediately called police. They were able to locate Newbold's body just one block from her home. An autopsy revealed that the young girl had been sexually assaulted before being killed.

Police have spoken to the public about the crime and warned individuals in the area to be on high alert, as they fear that a sexual predator may be in the neighborhood.

"There's obviously a predator out there," Police Chief Doug Diamond told the press.

"Our highest priority now is to identify, arrest, and successfully prosecute the person or persons responsible for this crime. I share in the concern of our residents for the ongoing safety and security of our children," Diamond added.

Newbold's parents have been cooperating with officials and have asked for privacy during this time. Diamond told the public, "At this time, no suspects have been identified and we do not have any persons of interest."

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Right now officials are investigating the family's home, but there are no evident signs of a break-in or forced entry. Surveillance videos around the home are also being examined for any possible clues.

"Our contacts at the FBI have been helping us with that," explained Sgt. Drew Sanders. "They've been working on enhancing that [surveillance video]. Right now, we do know that there are images on there and our investigators are analyzing that and trying to determine what use those are and if any evidence exists."

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to call (801) 840-4000.
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Sierra Lynn Newbold (2005 - 2012)
Obituary
Guest Book
"Sierra is a very beautiful girl. Our most sincere thoughts..."
- Camille Shosted

"Our Sweet Angel"
West Jordan, Utah-Our precious daughter, sister, and friend Sierra was tragically taken from us on June 26, 2012 in West Jordan, Utah. She was born November 8, 2005 in Salt Lake City, to Kathy and Brad Newbold.
Sierra was outgoing and made friends everywhere she went. She was eager to grow up, drive, and get her "very own" cell phone. She loved to draw and was an incredible artist at a very young age. She loved dancing, hiking, and being active. She loved life and lived it to the fullest. She was a proud member of the West Jordan Youth Soccer team "Orange Crush". She learned to read and loved reading while in kindergarten and was looking forward to starting first grade. Her best friend was her little sister, Taylor. They did everything together. She had the amazing ability to make everyone happy with her big brown eyes and her beautiful smile.
Those looking forward to seeing her again are her Mom and Dad, (Kathy and Brad), Sisters Aubrey, Jami, and Taylor, her incredible Big Brother Troy, "Stepbrother" Bobby, Grandma and Grandpa Newbold (Reed and Francis), Grandma and Grandpa Mahoney (Dan and Pat); several Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, and Friends. Those rejoicing with her in a sweet reunion are her Grandma Newbold (Enid), Aunt Sydni, Uncles Brian and Neal, and Cousin Heather.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday June 30, at the West Jordan 27th Ward, 2666 West 7000 South. A viewing will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Friday, June 29th at the church as well as an hour and a half prior to services on Saturday.
The family would like to thank the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from our family, neighborhood family, and community. Sierra will leave a huge hole in the hearts of everyone who knew her. She will be deeply missed and is loved dearly by her family and friends.

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Slain 6-year-old Sierra Newbold remembered as sweet, spunky

By Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News
Published: Saturday, June 30 2012 3:35 p.m. MDT

Six-year-old Sierra Newbold was remembered Saturday by friends and family as a sweet and spunky little girl who loved to draw with pink crayons and flash her big brown eyes at the people she loved.

“She was eager to grow up and drive and get her very own cell phone.”
Michael Mahoney, uncle

WEST JORDAN — Six-year-old Sierra Newbold was remembered Saturday by friends and family as a sweet and spunky little girl who loved to draw with pink crayons and flash her big brown eyes at the people she loved.

Funeral services for Newbold were held at an LDS Church in West Jordan near the canal where her body was found Tuesday. Police said she was sexually assaulted and murdered but there was no new information on the case or potential suspects released Saturday.

Sierra's parents were among the hundreds of mourners gathered, all seemingly holding onto their own young children a little tighter as stories were told about what Sierra brought to the lives of those around her.

Sierra's uncle, Michael Mahoney, said she was "outgoing and made friends everywhere she went. She was eager to grow up and drive and get her very own cell phone." He said Sierra had an "amazing ability to make everybody happy with her big brown eyes" and smile.

Her best friend, Mahoney said, was her younger sister, Taylor. Her older siblings recalled how she loved to play games including hide-and-seek, although she had to learn to not instantly call out where she was hiding when they started searching.

A sister said Sierra loved makeovers and had recently taken off her shoes for show-and-tell in her kindergarten class to proudly display a new pedicure. Sierra had also donated some of her blond hair more than a year ago to be used for wigs for cancer patients.

Her brother Troy said Sierra loved watching cartoons on TV but was careful to avoid certain animated programs aimed at adults. "She was such a good listener," he said "She knew what was right. She knew what she was supposed to do."

Two of her LDS Church primary teachers sobbed while detailing some of their memories.

"She would say, 'Brother Love, it's going to be OK,' " Kevin Love said of her reaction when he became emotional during church services. "Even though I was the teacher, she taught me."

Colette Farr said Sierra "was such a bright light in my class and teaching her was always a joy." Farr said Sierra was always the first to scoot her chair closer during a lesson. "Her little nose would wrinkle," Farr said, because she was smiling so broadly.

Sierra told her primary class that she was an artist, Farr said, and took her drawing seriously, pulling up a piano bench to use as a table. With a selection of crayons that always included pink she would work slowly and carefully.

Farr said Sierra was encouraged to take as much time as she needed to finish her projects. "We were never in a hurry for her to leave," she said. "We knew she loved us, but we loved her more."

LDS Bishop Vaughn Shosted of the West Jordan 27th Ward acknowledged the community's loss and urged those attending to have faith.

"Last Tuesday was a very dark day here for the friends and family of little Sierra," Shosted said. "We still miss her. We all have a deep hole gouged out of our hearts. The hard part is we don't know why."

LDS Stake President Jeffrey Edwards spoke of the prayers and other manifestations of love for Sierra that have surfaced, including the pink and purple ribbons tied throughout the neighborhood, including on railings and trees at the ward house.

Tom and Natalie Hughes and their 2-year-old daughter, Jayce, were among the mourners.

"It just really hit home what happened, with my little girl and another little girl on the way," said Natalie Hughes, who is due to become a mother again in just over two weeks.

Tom Hughes worked until a few months ago with Sierra's father, Brad Newbold, at an electrician company. He said Sierra's father is "very broken" over losing his daughter.

Since learning of Sierra's death, Tom Hughes said he's been on edge about the safety of his own little girl.

"I want my kid to be safe," he said. "I can't let her leave my sight."

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Family of Utah girl sexually assaulted, murdered pleads for public's help
Published July 02, 2012

The family of a 6-year-old Utah girl who police say was sexually assaulted and murdered last week is pleading for the public's help in nabbing her killer.
In a letter obtained by FoxNews.com, Brad Newbold, of West Jordan, Utah, described his daughter, Sierra, as a "bright star" and urged members of the public to come forward if they have any information about her death.
The child was sexually assaulted and murdered before being dumped in a canal not far from her home in the Salt Lake City suburb of West Jordan, authorities said. Her body was found about 30 minutes after her mother reported her missing Tuesday morning.
"Our family is devastated and we are grieving heavily about the loss of Sierra and the circumstances surrounding her death," Newbold wrote. "The hole left in our lives by her absence can never be repaired."
"We are cooperating fully with the police in the hope that the responsible person is ultimately arrested and prosecuted," he said. "I plead with anyone who has information about the death of my daughter to please call the West Jordan Police Department at 801-256-2211."
West Jordan Police Sgt. Drew Sanders told FoxNews.com last week that security footage taken from the Newbold home "has images" of interest that authorities are analyzing, though he did not elaborate. No persons of interest or suspects have been named in the case.
Sierra was remembered at her funeral Saturday as an "outgoing" child who "made friends everywhere she went," the Deseret News reported.
"She was eager to grow up and drive and get her very own cellphone," her uncle, Michael Mahoney, told the newspaper. Others recalled how the girl had donated some of her hair last year to be used for wigs for cancer patients, according to the newspaper.

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Anyone else wondering about the 17 year old stepbrother? I found this comment odd: "Her brother Troy said Sierra loved watching cartoons on TV but was careful to avoid certain animated programs aimed at adults."
I suppose he's referring to the japanese anime type shows that are basically thinly disguised porn. But why would a 6 year old have to be careful to avoid those? Makes me think brother had a huge collection of them or something. (JMO)

I did not pick up on that until you mentioned it sam. I searched and searched for information on Troys age. I hope Troy meant that now a days there are way to many adult cartoons, like Family Guy. I found out my 6 yr old grand daughter was watching it at her Mom's. Because it was a cartoon she thought it was okay to watch it. She knows better now. I wonder how much older Troy is than Sierra?

I sure hope this isn't "stepbrother" bobby from the obit: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

And I'm trying to find the link to wherever I read that Troy was 17. But on your news link above they have 20 pictures and the brothers are pictured as pallbearers.

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Mom's facebook:
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Troy's fb is private but there's a pic of him with Sierra. He does look older than her.
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Brad's (Sierra's dad) ex-wife divorced her previous husband Darius Matua in 1996-1997. Darius was charged with sexual battery of a child in both 2010 and 2011. I think Darius's kids might have been "adopted/taken in" by Brad. One of these kids might be "stepbrother Bobby".

Darius was arrested for sexual battery of a child in 2010: "Darius Lauina Matua Mugshot - Booked for Failure to Appear - Jan 25, 2012 – Darius Lauina Matua booked for Failure to Appear - Free Text, No Proof of Insurance, Aggravated Sexual Abuse of a Child in Salt Lake County, ..."
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and in 2011:
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Darius and his new wife on fb: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

So either Darius is out of jail again, or his son Bobby is the "stepbrother" who was living in Sierra's home.

Sam, you are good! You dug up some great info! I wonder how long he' been married to his new wife, surely she must know about his criminal past. Hope she doesn't have kids!
We just might be reading about the step brother soon in relation to Sierra. JMOO.

Sam. I think you are on to what really happened. Because there was no sign of a break in and Sierra was taken from her own bed. It has to be an inside job so to speak.

Darius and his new wife on fb: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

She is a beautiful lady...Wonder how she could get involved with someone like him. I sure hope that she doesn't have children. His charges haven't really been too long ago. Wonder if he had any contact with Sierra's family through his sons....

Those looking forward to seeing her again are her Mom and Dad, (Kathy and Brad), Sisters Aubrey, Jami, and Taylor, her incredible Big Brother Troy, "Stepbrother" Bobby,

sam wrote:

So either Darius is out of jail again, or his son Bobby is the "stepbrother" who was living in Sierra's home.

Who do the sisters Aubrey and Jami belong to? In one of the pictures, the sister looks quite a bit older. Also, do both Troy and Bobby belong to Darius (biologically)? And how do we know that Bobby was living in the home?

A pallbearer takes a quiet moment at the casket during the funeral of Sierra Newbold, a 6-year- old who was sexually assaulted and murdered earlier this week, at Redwood Memorial Cemetery in West Jordan on Saturday, June 30, 2012. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)

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Is this the "stepbrother", Bobby? Looks kinda like the mugshot above...That is, IF that IS his mugshot. I don't think that's been verified.

I think the second one from the right is Bobby - that hair matches his fb photo. So he looks more high school age. I'm not sure that Robert in the mugshot is the stepbrother Bobby either. I guess it depends on how common that Newbold name is in Utah.

However, mom's brother is an RSO also... so it's not looking good. [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

And that is for sure her brother, he has a family photo with Sierra's mom on his fb page:
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Here's his main fb page: [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

and Sierra's mom's page:
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OMG how many child molester are in this family?

Right? Pretty sad. I hope they moved Sierra's little sister out of that home.

I don't understand how someone who is a RSO can just have a public fb page like they think there's nothing wrong with having that public record. No shame, I guess.

I finally found the link where it said the oldest living in the home was 17. I'm guessing the "others" they refer to would be the stepbrother, and who knows who else?
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"Police say there were others living in the household including brothers and sisters. ABC 4 News checked family records and learned the oldest was a 17-year old boy."

11 days later, police mum on Utah girl’s murder investigation
By Lindsay Whitehurst | The Salt Lake Tribune

Eleven days after 6-year-old Sierra Newbold was found dead in a West Jordan canal, police say they’re investigating all 95 tips called into a public hot line but won’t say how close they are to making an arrest.

The girl, who was sexually assaulted, was found after her mother reported her missing the morning of June 26, police said. Surveillance video at the Newbold home captured images from the time Sierra went missing, but police have not said what those images showed.

"The investigation is progressing, although answers are slow in coming," said Sgt. Drew Sanders in a news release Friday morning, adding the case remains the department’s "top priority." Sanders sought to calm residents, saying the department has kept more police in the neighborhood around the girl’s home, located near 2400 West and 7100 South.

"We remain very cognizant of, and share in, the fear and anxiety that exists in this community stemming from this tragedy," Sanders said, urging parents to be "vigilant in keeping their families safe."

Investigators declined to release further information on their progress in the case, citing the need to "maintain the integrity of the investigation." Sierra’s family "remains very cooperative" and they continue to assist police, Sanders said.

Officers also asked anyone with information that could help solve the crime to call the tip line 801-256-2211.

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Sierra Newbold Case: Police Arrest Terry Lee Black In Death, Assault Of Utah Girl
By LYNN DeBRUIN

SALT LAKE CITY — A man has been arrested in the death a 6-year-old Utah girl after authorities say he sneaked into her home through a sliding glass door in the middle of the night, then raped and killed the child.

Terry Lee Black, 41, a neighbor of the girl who attends the same Mormon church as her family, has been charged with aggravated murder, kidnapping and rape of a child, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said Tuesday.

Police in West Jordan, about 15 miles south of Salt Lake City, say Sierra Newbold's body was found June 26 in a canal near her home.

According to a probable cause affidavit, the child's mother last saw her at about 10:30 p.m. the night before. On the morning of June 26, the woman told police she noticed a sliding glass door in the family's home was open and the girl wasn't in her bed.

Authorities mounted a search and soon found the girl's pink pajamas and undergarments in a field a short distance away from the home, according to court documents.

Her body was then found floating face down in a nearby canal. An autopsy revealed the girl was sexually assaulted and strangled but the official cause of death was drowning.

Black was arrested on June 29 after robbing a Wells Fargo bank, authorities said.

West Jordan Police Chief Douglas Diamond said Black had stolen a car earlier in the day and drove it to the bank. Diamond said when he left the bank after the robbery, Black attempted to get into the stolen car, but was confronted by a friend of the vehicle's owner who just happened to be in the parking lot.

Black then fled on foot and was arrested nearby, Diamond said.


He said alert police officers then noticed Black lived in an apartment near the canal where the young girl's body was found, and that debris on his clothing appeared similar to debris found in the field where the child's clothing was discovered.

Gil said Newbold's DNA was then found on Black's body.

Diamond called Black's arrest "divine intervention."

"This crime could have gone a totally different direction had it not been for (the detective) being able to see beyond the obvious and connect the dots," Diamond said. "We could have just booked him into jail and never realized he was our murder suspect."

Black remained held Tuesday on $2 million bond. It wasn't immediately clear if he had an attorney. A telephone message left at his home on Tuesday wasn't returned.

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___

Neighbor who attended church with family charged with killing Sierra Newbold

By Pat Reavy, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — Good police work, some lucky breaks, a strong hunch and possibly even divine intervention led to police arresting a man in connection with the death of 6-year-old Sierra Newbold.

"Miracles do happen," said West Jordan Police Chief Douglas Diamond. "I myself believe it is divine intervention."

Terry Lee Black, 41, who lives in the young girl's West Jordan neighborhood and attended church with her family, was charged Tuesday with capital murder, child kidnapping and rape of a child. All are first-degree felonies.

Investigators say Sierra was taken from her West Jordan home in the middle of the night on June 26. A security camera mounted on the Newbold home shows someone entering the home at 3:05 a.m. and exiting at 3:13 a.m. carrying something, the charges state.

Police searched the area and found Sierra's pink pajama bottoms and her underpants in a burned field a short distance away from her home. The girl's body was discovered floating face down in a nearby canal that borders the field. Her clothing was darkened by debris consistent with the field where a fire had burned days earlier, the charges state.

She was sexually assaulted, strangled and drowned in a nearby canal, an autopsy determined.

Black lives in apartments near the canal where she was found. He had been arrested on June 29 for an unrelated crime. Prosecutors say he stole a car from a Deseret Industries parking lot at 7166 S. Redwood Road and robbed a Wells Fargo Bank at 7869 S. Redwood Road.

When he was arrested, officers noticed that Black "also had debris on his clothing and knees consistent in appearance with debris existing in the blackened field where Sierra's clothing was found," according to the charges.

West Jordan police detective James Bigelow had a feeling he needed to respond to the initial call of the automobile theft and bank robbery. "The hair stood up on the back of his neck and he knew he needed to respond. How he knew that, we may never know," Diamond said.

Black's DNA also matched DNA taken from Sierra's body, prosecutors said.

Black had lived in the neighborhood for 10 years, according to police.

The child's mother called police just before 7:30 a.m. on June 26 to report she was woke up and discovered the child missing from their home, 2383 W. 7095 South. The sliding glass door at the home's dining room was open.

Officers started searching the area and found her body less than an hour later.

Throughout the child's West Jordan neighborhood, about 100 pink and purple ribbons remained tied to light poles, mailboxes and trees Tuesday. Those were Sierra's favorite colors.

A makeshift memorial of stuffed teddy bears and other animals pays tribute to the 6-year-old in a corner of her home. Nearby, more stuffed animals are attached to a stop sign.

Black is being held in the Salt Lake County Jail in lieu of $2 million bail.

Black faced several charges in Richfield in the early 1990s, including supplying alcohol to a minor and disorderly conduct and assault on a police officer.

In 2006, Black was convicted of forgery and public intoxication, but a lewdness charge against him was dismissed.

In August 2008, Black was charged with two counts of vehicle burglary, two counts of criminal mischief an one count of intoxication, all misdemeanors. In a plea bargain, he admitted to one burglary charge and was sentenced to four days in jail and 18 months probation this past May.

He faces robbery and transfer of a stolen vehicle charges in relation to the June 29 crimes that put him on the radar of investigators.

Black has been paying down a debt of child support and the most recent payment was made July 4. He owes more than $15,000 in back payments for child support. In 1993, he was named in a paternity suit filed at Richfield’s 6th District Court.

Additional information will be posted as it becomes available.

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DNA evidence, as well as blackened debris from a field in the area that had burned the week before, ties Black to the slaying, according to Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, who announced the charges at an afternoon press conference.

Black is being held at the Salt Lake County jail in lieu of $2 million bail.

Black — who lives near the canal and reportedly attends the same LDS church as the victim’s family — became a suspect after being arrested June 29 for an unrelated auto theft and a Wells Fargo bank robbery.

Gill said the girl was abducted from her home, then beaten, raped, strangled and thrown into the canal, where she drowned, according to an autopsy.

Assistant Utah Medical Examiner Julie Adams, who performed the autopsy, found contusions on the side of Sierra’s face, under each eye and on several areas on her back, according to the charges. Also, Adams and Dr. Karen Hansen, with Primary Children’s Medical Center, saw evidence of sexual assault.

After Black’s arrest, a swab from Black’s genitals was obtained and compared to DNA from Sierra’s body. Examiners at the Utah State Crime Laboratory subsequently found Sierra’s DNA profile on the swab taken from Black, according to charges.

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Terry Lee Black


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The lowest of all scumbags ever!! The worst punishment possible is too good for him!! What that poor little girl went through!!

Was that sliding glass door locked?

The detective who connected the dots deserves a metal and this POS deserves the same punishment that he did to Sierra! He evidently has children. Makes me wonder about them and if they knew him. I hope not!!

Hopefully, NG w/be covering this in a minute.

Can't believe NG didn't cover this tonight! Great work by these detectives. I was surprised that even with all the molesters in her own family, it was a neighbor who did it.

I wonder how long he'd been watching Sierra that he knew he could get away with entering their home and just taking her?

NG is rarely LIVE although she w/say she is. So, would bet she w/be covering this Wed night w/her Bombshell's that we are well aware of.

He lived in the neighborhood for 10 years and went to the same church. I wonder, did the family know him? Ever have him over to their home?

I am glad there was an arrest and another Monster taken off the streets.

She was so adorable!! This is SICK!!!!

Sierra Newbold Suspect Arrested
July 10, 2012 09:50 PM EDT

The sexual assault and murder of Sierra Newbold is one step closer to being a closed case. That's because police have announced that they have finally made an arrest after two weeks of investigating. It's been a long two weeks, but kudos goes to the investigators for working on a gut feeling and being absolutely correct. The shocking truth in this story is every parent's nightmare, but it also serves as a warning against being careful of who you let around your children.

The man arrested in connection to the brutal rape and murder of 6-year-old Sierra Newbold is a man known all-too-well by the child's family. His name is Terry Lee Black and he is the 41-year-old neighbor of the family. He and his family are known by the mother, who has gone to church with him in the past. (Has this been released that the family KNEW him??)

He has been charged with child kidnapping, rape of a child and most importantly capital murder--which makes him eligible for the death penalty. Here's to hoping the trial is a speedy one and this man faces a justice that he will only face once, therefore making sure he could never possibly harm another child.

The notorious surveillance footage held onto by police showed a man entering the home of the 6-year-old Utah child in the early morning hours between 3:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., which turned out to be the very gutsy offender, Terry Black. This is possibly why the police did not release their findings until they landed a proper charge on the monster. Good job, guys! Kudos certainly goes to the police in Utah right now. They worked hard and actually wrapped this up rather quickly.

Judging from the apparent age of this man, perhaps they should look into the possibility that he has done this before.

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By Nate Carlisle | The Salt Lake Tribune
First Published Jul 10 2012 10:59 am • Updated 3 hours ago

A 41-year-old West Jordan man was charged Tuesday with the June 26 rape and murder of 6-year-old Sierra Newbold, who was found dead in a West Jordan canal.

Terry Lee Black was charged in 3rd District Court with aggravated murder, child kidnapping and rape of a child.

DNA evidence, as well as blackened debris from a field in the area that had burned the week before, ties Black to the slaying, according to Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill, who announced the charges at an afternoon press conference.

Black is being held at the Salt Lake County jail in lieu of $2 million bail.

Black — who lives near the canal and reportedly attends the same LDS church as the victim’s family — became a suspect after being arrested June 29 for an unrelated auto theft and a Wells Fargo bank robbery.

Gill said the girl was abducted from her home, then beaten, raped, strangled and thrown into the canal, where she drowned, according to an autopsy.

Assistant Utah Medical Examiner Julie Adams, who performed the autopsy, found contusions on the side of Sierra’s face, under each eye and on several areas on her back, according to the charges. Also, Adams and Dr. Karen Hansen, with Primary Children’s Medical Center, saw evidence of sexual assault.

Police found Sierra’s body at 8:22 a.m. on June 26 in a canal about a block from her home.

The discovery occurred about an hour and 10 minutes after her mother reported the girl missing from the family’s home near 2400 W. 7100 South.

The girl’s mother called police after finding a sliding door open and Sierra missing from her bed at about 7:10 a.m. She told police she had last seen her daughter at about 10:30 p.m. the night before.

Police later viewed home security camera footage which showed a "form" entering the home at 3:05 a.m, and exiting "carrying something" at 3:13 a.m., according to charges.

Police later found clothing items belonging to the girl — pink pajama bottoms and her underwear — in a field near the canal that had been blackened by the recent fire.

An officer found the girl’s partially clad body in the canal, which borders the field, and her clothing was darkened with debris consistent with the burned material from the field.

After Black’s arrest, a swab from Black’s genitals was obtained and compared to DNA from Sierra’s body. Examiners at the Utah State Crime Laboratory subsequently found Sierra’s DNA profile on the swab taken from Black, according to charges.

The three charges filed against Black on Monday are all first-degree felonies. Prosecutors could opt to pursue the death penalty in connection with the murder count.

The robbery that led to Black’s arrest occurred June 29 when, according to police, Black entered the Wells Fargo Bank, 7869 S. Redwood Road in Salt Lake County, and told the teller that he needed $100.

According to a probable cause affidavit, when the teller asked Black for identification, he told the woman, "This is a robbery."

The teller took a $100 bill from her drawer and gave it Black. She then asked if he wanted $400, and he told the teller he wanted $4,000, according to court documents.

When the teller told Black that she would have to go to the vault for that, Black left the bank.

After Black left the bank, a service manager at the bank was able to snap a photo with her cell phone as he was trying to get into a Jeep.

Earlier that morning, an employee at the Deseret Industries, located at 7166 S. Redwood Road, reported that her Jeep had been stolen from the parking lot.

Her boss later went to the Wells Fargo Bank to deposit a check, and spotted the stolen Jeep in the bank’s parking lot. When she saw Black attempt to get into the vehicle, the woman confronted him and told him to get away from the car, according to court records. She also took a photo of Black with his cell phone.

Black fled the area on foot, but was arrested nearby. He was charged on June 30 with robbery and receiving or transferring of a stolen vehicle, both second degree felonies.

Black’s criminal history includes a 2008 guilty plea to burglary of a vehicle, a class A misdemeanor. An additional charge of burglary of a vehicle, two counts of criminal mischief and one count of intoxication where dismissed as part of a plea deal.

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What a cutie Sierra was! Glad an arrest has been made. What a scumbag is right!

He doesn't sound very bright, or off his meds maybe?, that he would bother robbing a bank for only $100. when he had just killed and raped a young girl. Talk about calling attention to yourself.

That he would just back away from a car and run off after just being told to get away from the car by a woman, instead of hopping in and driving off, makes me wonder if he had some mental issues.

Glad they caught him so quickly though.

I agree Sam. Good thing they caught him as quickly as they did. I was thinking the same thing when I read he tried to rob a bank after what he had just did to Sierra.

Submitted by Fox13Now Web Staff
Wednesday, July 11th, 2012, 2:37pm

The family of murdered 6-year-old Sierra Newbold released a statement Wednesday through West Jordan police on the arrest of Terry Lee Black:

This letter is our response to the many requests our family is receiving to provide interviews or make a statement regarding the arrest of Terry Lee Black in connection with the murder of my daughter Sierra Lynn Newbold. This letter will serve as our updated family statement for the time being.

At this time we want to express our gratitude to the West Jordan Police Department, and especially Detective James Bigelow, for the marvelous police work that brought the pieces together that connected Terry Lee Black with the murder of Sierra. This has allowed at least a small measure of closure for our family. We also wish to thank our family, friends, community members, and even total strangers who have offered love, prayers, and support for our family.

We offer our sympathy to the Black family during this sad time since they too are grieving a loss. We want everyone to plainly understand that we hold no animosity in our hearts toward Terry Black’s wife and children. We fully recognize that they played no part in this tragedy, and hope that the community and the media will be sensitive to their pain and gentle in their treatment of them.

We are still trying to comprehend and reconcile the newly revealed developments in the case. We anticipate it will take us a very long time to fully come to terms with what has occurred. Therefore, we are continuing with our earlier decision not to provide interviews or make further public statements at this time. The time is still not right for us, and we do not wish to talk about Sierra’s death in public. This remains an extremely private matter for our family, and we still wish to continue our grieving in private. Thank you for continuing to respect our wishes.

Sincerely,

Brad Newbold

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC 4 News) – Shortly after learning a suspect had been arrested in the death of Sierra Newbold, it was also discovered that the suspect was a neighbor. .

Terry Lee Black faces sexual assault and murder charges in the case. Neighbors who know Black were shocked and neighbors who learned Black lived just two blocks away from the Newbolds were just as shocked.

Police found the six-year-olds body between her house and Black’s house. Peter Fiagle says the news of an arrest is a bit of a relief. However, he knows Black’s wife and children and he says the arrest doesn’t make the situation go away. “You think about it every day. You wake up and think about it. You walk down the street and just to see what is going on.”

Fiagle took ABC 4 News from the Newbold’s house to the field where some of Sierra’s clothes were found. Then we walked to the canal where Sierra’s body was found. “We imagine this is the path he took.”
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By Aaron Falk | The Salt Lake Tribune
First Published 2 hours ago • Updated 1 hour ago

The man charged with kidnapping, raping and murdering 6-year-old Sierra Newbold late last month refused to appear in court Thursday.

Terry Lee Black, 41, refused to be transported to 3rd District Court from the Salt Lake County jail in connection with an unrelated robbery case. Judge Elizabeth-Hruby Mills did not immediately grant a prosecutor’s request for an order to bring Black to court for a Friday morning appearance. Defense attorney Ari Chino said he would try to meet with Black Thursday afternoon in hopes of convincing him to cooperate with officers.

Black is being held in the jail in lieu of $2 million bail. Jail inmates sometimes refuse to leave their cell to appear in court as a form of protest or delay tactic.

It was Black’s arrest for allegedly robbing a West Jordan Wells Fargo that police say that gave them a break in the murder investigation. A detective noticed dark stains on the man’s hands and clothes that looked like they could have come from the burned field behind the Newbold’s home. Police later took DNA swabs of Black’s genitals and found Sierra’s DNA profile, charges state.

On June 29 — three days after Sierra’s death — Black walked inside a Wells Fargo at 7869 S. Redwood and told a teller he needed $100, charges state. When the teller asked for identification, Black allegedly said, "This is a robbery." Black then held up four fingers, the charges state. The teller asked if he wanted $400 and he said that he wanted $4,000, according to court documents.

The teller told police she said she would need to go to the bank’s vault for the money and, when she turned around, Black walked out of the bank.

Chino, who was hired by Black’s family to represent the man in the robbery case, said the murder charge came as a surprise.

"I did not see it coming," he said Thursday, adding that is was "doubtful" he would represent Black in connection with the homicide.

Black lived a short distance from the Newbolds’ home and infrequently attended the same church events.

Police found Sierra’s body in a canal behind her home on June 26. According to charges filed earlier this week, home surveillance footage shows Black walking into the Newbold home around 3 a.m. and leaving eight minutes later, carrying something.

Those who know him say Black struggled with alcohol and would go on binges, sometimes for "weeks."

He’s had run-ins with the law in the past, though his previous charges were limited to misdemeanors.

In 2008, Black pleaded guilty to burglary for breaking into two cars near a Midvale TRAX station while he was drunk. When an officer found him sitting in one of the cars, he allegedly said he was looking for change for a TRAX ticket.

In 2006, he pleaded guilty to attempted forgery and intoxication.

On July 6, 1991, a drunken Black, then 19, broke out the windows on a Richfield apartment and then hid in a nearby garage, Richfield Police Chief John Evans said. As police arrested Black, one officer was cut by the man’s knife.

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