Body recovered believed to be missing woman, family says; person of interest in custody

EUREKA, Juab County — The family of a woman missing since Oct. 4 believes a body located by officials Saturday is that of their relative.

The family of Jan Pearson-Jenkins told KSL they believe the body discovered by officials is that of Pearson-Jenkins, 64.

Later Saturday afternoon, Juab County Sheriff’s Chief Deputy Brent Pulver confirmed officials have taken a male person of interest into custody near Yuba Reservoir. Officials would not say whether or not that person is Cody Young, who Pearson-Jenkins had been camping with before she went missing.

Pulver confirmed that a body was located but they have not yet identified the body. Juab County Sheriff’s Office officials said the body was found within a 5-mile radius of the initial search area where crews were searching.

“We have found a body. I cannot confirm the identity of the body. Circumstantially, one could believe that it is hers,” Pulver said.

Pearson-Jenkins was reportedly camping with Young, whose exact age wasn’t released by officials. Young was last heard from on Oct. 5, Sandy Police Sgt. Jason Nielsen said on Oct. 11.

Young messaged Pearson-Jenkins’ family and told them they got into an argument and he left her in the Silver City/Eureka area where they had been camping, Nielsen said. Pearson-Jenkins didn’t have her purse or cellphone and wasn’t appropriately dressed for the weather, according to Nielsen.

Juab County officials had previously checked the area Pearson-Jenkins was last suspected of being and did not locate her.

Pulver said early on Saturday they found the actual camp spot and found evidence that places Young and Pearson-Jenkins there. A citizen came forward saying they actually saw a van matching the description of Young’s van at the campsite, Pulver added.

Sandy police have not been able to locate Young. Pulver said Juab County Sheriff’s officials are working with Sandy police in locating Young.

Young is described as white, 5-foot-5 with a slender build and in his mid-40s. Police say Young also has some facial hair and golden-brown hair that he wears in a ponytail. He also wears glasses.

Police believe Young was driving a dark-colored van with Arizona license plate CGA3392. The van is described as older, possibly from the 1980s.

This story will be updated as soon as more information is available.

This article was first published by KSL.com. It is used here with permission.