Corazon Frandsen – Jack of Diamonds, Utah

In 1978, Corazon was just 26 and a widow after losing her husband from cancer five years earlier. And Corazon was still mourning the loss of her husband when she herself became a victim of a horrifically brutal attack in the parking lot of her seemingly safe apartment complex.

Corazon Frandsen - Jack of Diamonds

Courtesy of Idaho Cold Case Tip Line

Episode Info

If you know anything about the murder of Corazon Frandsen in Murray, Utah in February 1978, please call Unified Police Detective Ben Pender at 385-468-9816.

To apply for the Cold Case Playing Cards grant through Season of Justice, visit www.seasonofjustice.org

An undated portrait of Corazon.

An undated portrait of Corazon. Courtesy of Unified Police Department
An undated portrait of Corazon.

An undated portrait of Corazon. Courtesy of Unified Police Department
The church parking lot in Murray, Utah where Corazon was found on a Sunday morning in February 1978.

The church parking lot in Murray, Utah where Corazon was found on a Sunday morning in February 1978. Photo by audiochuck Staff
The building that used to house Smiths Food King, the grocery store where Corazon stopped just before her attack.

The building that used to house Smiths Food King, the grocery store where Corazon stopped just before her attack. Photo by audiochuck Staff
The approximate location of Corazon’s parking spot at her apartment complex, where she was attacked as she got out of her car.

The approximate location of Corazon’s parking spot at her apartment complex, where she was attacked as she got out of her car. Photo by audiochuck Staff
Corazon’s apartment building in Murray, Utah.

Corazon’s apartment building in Murray, Utah. Photo by audiochuck Staff

Another look at Corazon’s parking lot. It’s mostly unchanged today except for the fence in 1978 was chain link.

Another look at Corazon’s parking lot. It’s mostly unchanged today except for the fence in 1978 was chain link. Photo by audiochuck Staff

The corner of the church parking lot where Corazon was found. In the 70s, the condo in the distance was just being built, and there were more bushes in the parking lot.

The corner of the church parking lot where Corazon was found. In the 70s, the condo in the distance was just being built, and there were more bushes in the parking lot. Photo by audiochuck Staff

Unified Detective Ben Pender during his interview with audiochuck in April 2023.

Unified Detective Ben Pender during his interview with audiochuck in April 2023.
Salt Lake County Sheriff’s HQ in south Salt Lake, which also houses the Unified Police Department’s cold case unit.

Salt Lake County Sheriff’s HQ in south Salt Lake, which also houses the Unified Police Department’s cold case unit. Photo by audiochuck Staff

Episode Source Material