Police ID ASU student killed in her apartment
Apr 24, 2013, 3:21 PM | Updated: Apr 25, 2013, 6:38 am
TEMPE. Ariz. — An Arizona State University student whose boyfriend was arrested in connection with her death has been identified, police said.
Rebecca Kasper, 19, was reported dead Tuesday by her boyfriend, 22-year-old Luis Soltero, who was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Tempe police said Soltero is facing a murder charge. He is being held on $1 million bail on suspicion of beating Kasper to death with a dumbbell.
Soltero walked into a police substation and told police his girlfriend was dead in an apartment near Apache Boulevard and Rural Road.
“It’s a gruesome scene,” said Sgt. Mike Pooley.
Court paperwork showed that Kasper’s body was found in a bathtub covered in coffee grounds and baking soda. Her head was wrapped in plastic and her wrists and ankles were bound.
An unsigned note was found next to Kasper’s body. The note made references to the killer feeling a need “to end her life.” The note also claimed she was killed on “420.”
Prior to walking into the police station, Soltero said he sat in a car with the engine running for 12 hours. Pooley said Soltero was treated at a local hospital for carbon monoxide poisoning.
Soltero arrived at the police station driving a car registered to Kasper’s parents.
On Wednesday, Rebecca’s father, Dan Kasper, spoke to reporters about his daughter and said she loved living in Arizona and was proud to be a Sun Devil.
“This is where she wanted to live, she loved it here,” Kasper said. “[ASU] was the only college she applied at. She said, ‘That’s where I’m going to school.'”
Kasper also called his daughter “focused and determined.”
Kasper said he met Rebecca’s boyfriend and suspect, Soltero, last Christmas and did not suspect anything was wrong with the couple.
“He was quiet, laid back and easy going,” Kasper said. “Seemed like a good kid. Nothing that would indicate anything like this would ever happen.”
Kasper flew into Arizona on Wednesday and said coming to Arizona made the horror of the situation set in.
“I feel like this should be someone else’s story… this happens to other people kids, not mine,” Kasper said. “Coming here made it real because we just kept feeling like this has to be a mistake.”
Paperwork showed that both Soltero and Kasper’s name were on the rental application for the apartment. Neighbors complained numerous times of verbal confrontations at the apartment and Kasper’s coworkers told police she had bruising on her arms consistent with being grabbed.
KTAR’s Mark Remillard and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
