Alexzia ’Alex’ Franco was a 21-year-old white transgender man from Taylorsville, Utah, remembered by family as funny, goofy and caring. His mother called him her pride and joy; his stepmother said he loved and protected his 13 siblings and that an empty chair would always remain at their table.

On March 17, 2024, Franco arranged to meet three teenagers near 3800 West and 5700 South to purchase a firearm. The teens arrived in a white Jeep Liberty; Franco got into the vehicle, but an argument erupted while his girlfriend and stepmother watched nearby. The Jeep sped away with Franco inside, and a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot was heard. Police later found the Jeep that day with fresh paint on part of it and a bloodstain on the floor and rear seat belt. Two days later, on March 19, Franco’s body was located in a remote desert area near Lehi; he had died from a single close-range gunshot to the head.

Taylorsville police treated the incident as a homicide and arrested three teenagers believed to be involved. Investigators say the teens planned to rob Franco of money he brought to buy the gun; police stated the crime was not a hate crime nor gang- or drug-related. Does anyone have information about Franco’s movements that day or about the meeting near 3800 West and 5700 South?