Delta Man Charged With Murder in Suspicious Grand Junction Death

It didn't take Mesa County authorities long to make an arrest in connection with a suspicious death this week in Grand Junction.

Here's What Happened

On Wednesday afternoon, the Grand Junction Fire Department responded to a report of a house fire on 29 1/2 Road, south of Patterson near Parkway Drive. After the fire was extinguished, a deceased female was found inside the residence. Police immediately called the death suspicious and an arrest was made Wednesday night.

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According to the Mesa County Sheriff's Office, about 10 minutes after the fire was reported, information came in about a person who may have been involved. That person was identified as 33-year-old Kellan Hoyt of Delta. Deputies were able to make contact with Hoyt at a residence in the 3100 block of Covey Avenue and he was taken into custody.

Murder Charges and More

Hoyt is facing multiple charges in connection with the death including First Degree Murder, First Degree Arson, Tampering with a Deceased Human Body, Tampering WIth Physical Evidence, and Second Degree Assault with Intent to Cause Bodily Injury by Strangulation. Hoyt is being held in the Mesa County Detention Center on a $2 million cash bond.

The Investigation Continues

The Mesa County Coroner is determining the cause and manner of death as well as the identity of the victim. The investigation into this case is continuing and all documents in the case have been sealed by the court. The Mesa County Sheriff's Office is asking anyone with information to call the Witness Tip line at 970-244-3526.