Warrant Indicates Woman Killed with Crowbar

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By Aaron Hepker

Story Created: Jan 25, 2013 at 4:29 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jan 25, 2013 at 4:29 PM CDT

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A search warrant indicates an 18-year-old woman died last summer after being hit in the head with a crowbar.

The Des Moines Register reports that a Polk County search warrant made public this week states that Judy VanLo of Des Moines was killed by "severe life-ending trauma to the upper torso and head."

Documents say a detective found a crowbar on a bed, and tissue matter and hair consistent to VanLo's hair were imbedded in the crowbar.

Police say she was killed on or before June 17.

Raymond Benitez was arrested June 23 in Brownsville, Texas, and has been charged with first-degree murder. A trial for the 19-year-old is set for Feb. 20.

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