A man who murdered an 18-year-old woman in Utah four decades ago has finally been identified, authorities said Thursday.

Christine Gallegos was discovered deceased on May 16, 1985, along Jefferson Street in Salt Lake City, according to the Salt Lake City Police Department. She had been subjected to beating, stabbing, sexual assault, and was shot to death near an area known at the time as Dirk’s Field.

Despite years of investigative efforts and several rounds of forensic testing, detectives could not uncover any leads. The case went cold and stayed unresolved until 2023, when advancements in DNA and genealogical testing linked the case to a man named Ricky Lee Stallworth.

Stallworth was a 27-year-old airman based at Hill Air Force Base during the time of Gallegos’ murder, as stated by police. He passed away from natural causes in July 2023.

Gallegos’ mother, Leah, thanked investigators for “never giving up” on solving the case.

The mother of Christine Gallegos, Leah Gallegos, speaks during a news conference at the Salt Lake City Police Department. (Salt Lake City Police Department)

“You never quit thinking about it. You never quit crying about it,” Leah Gallegos said when reporters asked about her memories of her daughter.

“I wonder about the kids that she would have…” she added. “She was outgoing, she was sweet … they took so much away when they took her away.”

Utah State Bureau of Investigation Agent Steve O’Camb said he hoped that identifying the killer would bring the family closure.

“Handcuffs, however, do not equal healing,” O’Camb said. “The resolution of Christine’s case is a prime example. We weren’t able to arrest a suspect, but hopefully we achieved some measure of justice for her and the family and friends that loved her.”