Investigators: Rocky Ford man confesses to decades old murder

A Rocky Ford man has confessed to raping and murdering a woman in Utah, according to authorities there.

The Carbon County, Utah Sheriff’s Office says that Thomas Edward Egley has confessed to raping and murdering Loretta Jones in July of 1970. The sheriff’s office says Egley also confessed to destroying evidence that would link him to the crime.

Egley was arrested at his home in Rocky Ford this week.

The case had gone cold, but was reopened at the request of the victim’s family in 2009.

“The community of Carbon County, particularly the victim’s daughter who was four years old at the time, can finally find solace in knowing Loretta Jones’s family will have the justice they deserve resulting from the tragic death of Ms. Jones some 45 years ago. Sergeant Brewer and Detective Hendricks from the Carbon County Sheriff’s office should be commended for their efforts”, said Carbon County Attorney Gene Strate.

Egley’s bond was set at $1 million. He was due in court for an extradition hearing Friday morning, according to an online court docket.