Washington Man Faces Murder Charge After Girlfriend's Body Discovered in River
A Washington man with a documented history of domestic violence against his girlfriend has now been formally charged with her brutal murder and the subsequent disposal of her body in a local river. Juan Delgado, aged 42, was charged with second-degree murder on Thursday in connection with the killing of 37-year-old Krista Hunt, which occurred in January, according to official statements from the Skagit County Sheriff's Office.
Disappearance and Discovery
Krista Hunt was first reported missing by her concerned mother, Pamela Hunt, on February 1. A widely circulated missing persons flyer indicated that she had last been seen in the vicinity of Concrete, a small town situated approximately 100 miles north of Seattle. Law enforcement authorities conducted an extensive search for Hunt over several weeks before her remains were ultimately located.
Delgado was taken into custody shortly after the victim's body was positively identified. Investigators made a critical breakthrough when they discovered clumps of Hunt's hair and traces of her blood inside the suspect's vehicle, providing substantial forensic evidence linking him to the crime.
History of Abuse and Final Sighting
In an emotional interview with local media outlet KING5, Pamela Hunt revealed that her daughter was last seen alive on January 25, riding in Delgado's truck. Delgado allegedly claimed that they had run out of fuel and that Hunt had exited the vehicle to continue on foot. She was never seen again after that fateful encounter.
The grieving mother also detailed a disturbing pattern of abuse inflicted by Delgado upon her daughter. She recounted a specific incident, occurring just weeks before Hunt's disappearance, where she had to rush her daughter to the hospital for emergency medical treatment.
'She did in fact have a broken leg,' Pamela Hunt told reporters. 'She said he had boot-stomped her leg and her chest.' She further described a horrifying instance where Delgado reportedly set a timer and threatened to assault Hunt at regular fifteen-minute intervals.
Medical Evidence and Warnings
A GoFundMe campaign organized by Pamela Hunt during the active search for her daughter provided additional harrowing details. The page stated that during the hospital visit, Krista Hunt 'was covered in bruises, both new and old, had been strangled, had two black eyes, and a broken leg.' Medical professionals explicitly warned that if she were subjected to strangulation again, the consequences could be fatal.
Police Investigation and Suspect's Statements
According to a police affidavit reviewed by KING5, when officers contacted Delgado on February 1—the same day the missing person report was filed—he stated he had not heard from Hunt in five days and expressed a desire to return her two dogs to her. He reportedly acknowledged that there had been problems in their relationship but insisted he believed 'they were currently on good terms.'
In a bizarre turn of events, police reported that just two days later, Delgado shot himself at a bar in Concrete. He survived the self-inflicted gunshot wound and told authorities at the scene that he 'missed Krista.'
Body Identification and Arrest
Weeks after the initial disappearance, a body was discovered in the Skagit River, which flows near the town of Concrete. On March 18, the Skagit County Coroner's Office confirmed the remains were those of Krista Hunt. Delgado was arrested the following day.
While the official cause of death remains under investigation, the coroner's report, as cited by KING5, detailed severe injuries including a broken neck, a fractured jaw, and multiple broken ribs.
Prior Charges and Increased Bond
The Skagit County Sheriff's Office noted that at the time of the murder charge, Delgado was already in custody on unrelated charges. County arrest records show he had been arrested on February 5 and was being held at the Skagit County Jail on two counts of possession of an explosive device, one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, and a DUI charge.
He was initially held on a $100,000 bond for those charges, though authorities later decided not to pursue the explosive device allegations. It remains unclear when that decision was made or if it was influenced by the subsequent murder charge. Following the second-degree murder indictment, Delgado's bond was significantly increased to $1 million, and he remains incarcerated at the Skagit County Jail.
Family's Grief and Tributes
The victim's family has been vocal in their anguish. Hunt's brother shared with KING5, 'I can't imagine the pain my mom is going through right now. I know the pain I'm going through, and it's hard … He stole 60 years of my relationship with Krista.'
Following the identification of Hunt's remains, loved ones took to social media to express their sorrow. Her cousin, Holly Luja, posted on Facebook, 'I have no words. There is such a hole in my life now that my beloved cousin Krista filled.'
Her mother, Pamela, also shared a heartfelt message online: 'So much love and support from so many different directions. It's a bit overwhelming in a beautiful way. It feels so good to know how much love Krista shared with so many people from all walks of life. She was definitely one of a kind!'
