Roberto Arguelles: The Salt Lake City Strangler

Content Warning: This article contains descriptions of violent crimes, including those against minors. Reader discretion is advised.

In 1992, Salt Lake City, Utah, was gripped by fear as a series of brutal murders unfolded. The perpetrator, later identified as Roberto Arguelles, would become known as the Salt Lake City Strangler. This article delves into the life, crimes, and eventual downfall of one of Utah’s most notorious serial killers.

Early Life and Criminal Beginnings

Roberto Arguelles was born on February 14, 1962, in Kearns, Utah. His troubled youth foreshadowed the horrific crimes he would later commit:

• At 15, arrested for attempted car theft
• At 16, physically assaulted his girlfriend and family
• By 17, escalated to kidnapping and assaulting a 10-year-old girl

Despite these serious offenses, Arguelles repeatedly received lenient treatment from the justice system, a pattern that would have devastating consequences.

After years of assaults and brief incarcerations, Arguelles’ crimes reached a horrifying new level in 1992. His victims included:

1. Lisa Martinez (16) and Tuesday Roberts (15)
2. Margot Bond (42)
3. Stephanie Blundell (13)

Each murder was marked by extreme violence, with victims either stabbed or strangled.

Capture and Confession

Arguelles’ reign of terror ended not through clever detective work, but his own boastfulness. While in prison for other offenses, he bragged about the murders to fellow inmates, who reported him to authorities.
In 1995, during a police interview, Arguelles confessed and led investigators to the victims’ bodies, bringing closure to grieving families but revealing the full extent of his heinous acts.

The legal process for Arguelles was as unusual as his crimes:

• He attempted to have prior convictions thrown out
• Changed his plea to guilty and waived his right to appeal
• Demanded the death penalty
• Represented himself in court

On June 21, 1997, Roberto Arguelles was sentenced to death, opting for execution by firing squad.

Final Years on Death Row

Arguelles’ time on death row was marked by:

• Suicide attempts
• Self-harm and erratic behavior
• Increasingly violent outbursts during legal proceedings

In a final twist to his dark story, Arguelles died of natural causes on November 15, 2003, while awaiting execution.

Read More: Westchester Serial Killer: The Patrick Baxter Case

The Legacy of the Salt Lake City Strangler

The case of Roberto Arguelles raises important questions about the justice system, mental health treatment, and the nature of evil. It serves as a chilling reminder of the potential for human depravity and the importance of protecting the vulnerable in our society.

This true crime story continues to fascinate and horrify, serving as a grim chapter in Utah’s criminal history. The impact of Arguelles’ crimes on the victims’ families and the community of Salt Lake City remains a somber testament to the far-reaching consequences of such heinous acts.