Salt Lake City, UT – A mother-and-son duo at the center of a shocking Utah homicide case have been sentenced for their roles in the 2021 kidnapping and murder of 25-year-old Conzuelo “Nicole” Solorio-Romero, a young mother who was targeted after suspects learned she was cooperating with police.
The case, described by prosecutors as one of the most disturbing in recent county history, involved a coordinated abduction, a planned interrogation, and a cold-blooded killing — all followed by efforts to hide the crime, including cleaning the scene “as though someone had spilled a glass of milk,” according to courtroom testimony.
Sentences Handed Down in the Kidnapping and Killing
Authorities said 43-year-old Carolina Marquez received two to 20 years for second-degree manslaughter and six years to life for first-degree aggravated kidnapping, with the sentences to be served consecutively. Her son, 27-year-old Fernando Marquez, was given a suspended prison sentence after pleading guilty to obstruction of justice.
Officials explained that the mother orchestrated the abduction when she learned Solorio-Romero had provided information that led to Fernando’s earlier arrest. According to the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office, Marquez directed two men — Orlando Tobar and Jorge Medina-Reyes — to remove the victim at gunpoint on February 6, 2021, from an apartment.
How the Abduction Unfolded
Investigators said Tobar and Medina-Reyes forced Solorio-Romero into a vehicle, then drove around for hours at Marquez’s instruction to “kill some time.” The men traveled toward the Wyoming border and back before finally taking the victim to Marquez’s home in West Valley City.
Once inside, the victim was held at knifepoint and interrogated about her cooperation with law enforcement. After extracting the information they wanted, prosecutors said Medina-Reyes shot her in the head, and Tobar fired a second shot moments later.
Planning the Cover-Up
The suspects then gathered at Marquez’s taco restaurant to discuss how to dispose of Solorio-Romero’s body. They contacted a man known as “The Mechanic,” later identified as Cristian Morales, to help with the disposal process.
- The body was wrapped in plastic bags
- Tobar and Morales transported the remains to a field in Tooele County
- The remains were dumped in a remote area
While the body was being removed, Carolina Marquez stayed behind to clean the crime scene. Courtroom photos, as reported by Law&Crime, showed her laughing and wiping blood “as though someone had spilled a glass of milk,” an image that deeply disturbed investigators and the court.
Victim’s Sister Shares Emotional Testimony
During sentencing, Solorio-Romero’s sister, Jessica Romero-McDonald, delivered a powerful victim-impact statement describing the profound grief the murder caused her family.
“Nicole wasn’t just a random person you grew to hate; she was my sister, she was a mother, and she was my mother’s daughter… You don’t deserve any forgiveness from us, as we don’t forgive you,” she said.
She vowed to attend every future parole hearing to ensure the offenders remain behind bars.
Additional Defendants and Prior Sentences
As previously reported by Law&Crime, Tobar, 34, and Medina-Reyes, 26, pleaded guilty to murder and aggravated kidnapping. Both men were sentenced to two terms of 15 years to life.
Two additional suspects pleaded guilty to misdemeanor desecration of a body for their involvement.
Prosecutors Say the Outcome Sends a Message
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill said the sentencing brings some measure of closure:
“We mourn the loss of Nicole… We hope the conclusion of this case will help our community feel safer now that a judge has determined [Carolina Marquez] will spend years behind bars.”
Community Impact and Safety Concerns
Cases involving retaliation against cooperating witnesses often raise broad public-safety concerns. Prosecutors emphasized that targeted violence like this undermines trust in law enforcement and discourages victims from coming forward. Officials stressed that the firm sentences show the justice system will protect those who assist in investigations.
Remembering Nicole
Family members describe Solorio-Romero as a devoted mother whose life was cut short by senseless violence. They continue to call for justice and awareness so other families never experience a similar tragedy.
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