Christine Gallegos was just 18 years old when she was found murdered in 1985. Now, 40 years later, police say they have a suspect, but they can’t arrest him because he died two years ago. Andrea Caval

Salt Lake police say they have solved a 40-year-old cold case homicide. But the man believed to be responsible died of natural cases two years ago.

The person believed responsible for sexually assaulting and killing 18-year-old Christine Gallegos in 1985 died of natural causes in 2023, police said.