Man Charged After Girlfriend Found Dead in Tesla

Murder Charge Filed in Tooele

Utah prosecutors charged Daniel Castro Ruesga, 37, with murder after police found his girlfriend, Silvia Bahena, dead in a Tesla inside the garage of her Tooele home. Bahena’s four children were inside the home during the incident, according to KSL and Tooele police.

Officers responded near 600 East and Kings Landing Road shortly before midnight Aug. 31 after receiving a report of shots fired. They found a pickup against the rear of the Tesla in the garage and Bahena in the driver’s seat.

Ruesga was taken into custody and later formally charged in 3rd District Court. He has not been convicted.

Pickup and Tesla Cited in Probable Cause Statement

According to the probable cause statement reported by KSL, Ruesga told investigators after a Miranda warning that he intentionally crashed his pickup into Bahena’s Tesla following an argument and then killed her.

Prosecutors charged Ruesga with murder and additional firearm and domestic-violence-related offenses. The later charging document listed one count of murder, one count of felony discharge of a firearm with serious bodily injury, three counts alleging domestic violence in the presence of a child tied to criminal homicide, and one count of unlawful discharge of a dangerous weapon within 600 feet of a building. KSL reported that the charges are subject to enhanced penalties.

The counts listed in the initial booking report and later formal charging documents are not identical, so the filed murder charge is the clearest current legal status.

The vehicle positions and other physical evidence are part of the investigation. The reporting reviewed for this article does not establish a motive beyond the argument described in the probable cause statement.

Four Children Were Inside the Home

KSL reported that Bahena was a mother of four and worked as a nail artist and mortgage loan officer. Friends described her as hardworking and devoted to her family.

Police said the children were inside the house during the incident and later found their mother. Their identities have not been released in the approved reporting and are not included here.

Friends have organized financial support for the children. That effort is separate from the criminal prosecution.

KSL reported that Bahena had worked for years as a nail artist and had begun working as a mortgage loan officer within the previous year. Friends said she had developed long-standing relationships with clients in Tooele and described her as devoted to her children.

Friends also described Bahena and Ruesga as having an on-and-off relationship. Their statements are background only; investigators have not publicly established a motive beyond the argument described in the probable cause statement.

Court Process Now Underway

The murder charge is a first-degree felony under the filing described by KSL. Related counts include allegations tied to the presence of children and the discharge of a firearm.

KSL also reported that Ruesga had a 2025 misdemeanor property-damage case carrying a domestic-violence enhancement and a requirement to complete an anger-management course. The reporting does not establish who the victim was in that earlier case, and the prior matter does not prove any allegation in the current prosecution.

KSL reported that Ruesga works as a real estate agent in Tooele and was listed as an ambassador for the local chamber of commerce. Friends said the home where police responded belonged to Bahena and that the Tesla in the garage was her vehicle.

Ruesga is entitled to the presumption of innocence unless prosecutors prove the charges in court. Any defense response, plea or trial schedule will be handled through 3rd District Court.

The case remains in the pretrial stage. Tooele authorities have not announced additional suspects.

References: Tooele real estate agent charged with murdering girlfriend | Suspect accused after girlfriend found dead in car at Tooele home