Man who broke girlfriend’s neck had ‘set a timer’ to hit her every 15 minutes

Authorities in Washington state have charged a man with murdering his girlfriend after investigators discovered evidence in his vehicle linking him to her death.

Juan Delgado, 42, faces second-degree murder charges in connection with the death of 37-year-old Krista Hunt, the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office reported. At the time the charge was filed, Delgado was already in custody at the Skagit County Jail on unrelated matters.

Krista Hunt was reported missing on February 1. Law enforcement indicated she was last seen in the rural town of Concrete in northern Washington.

Hunt’s mother, Pamela Hunt, told Seattle’s KING-TV that her daughter was last spotted on January 25, accompanied by a man believed to be her boyfriend. According to Pamela Hunt, her daughter ran out of gas near a local restaurant and left the truck to walk. She also alleged that Delgado had been physically abusive toward Krista in the past.

“On one occasion, she had a broken leg,” Pamela Hunt said. “She said he had boot-stomped her leg and chest… She said he even set a timer once, saying he would hit her every 15 minutes.”

Court documents obtained by KING-TV show that when a deputy called Delgado on February 1, he said he had not heard from Krista in five days but wanted to return her two dogs. He also mentioned that their relationship had experienced problems previously, though he believed they were on good terms at the time.

Two days after Hunt’s disappearance, Delgado reportedly shot himself at a bar in Concrete. He survived the incident and later told authorities he missed Krista.

Several weeks later, a body was recovered from the Skagit River near Concrete. On March 18, the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the remains were those of Krista Hunt. The county coroner noted multiple injuries, including a broken neck, jaw, and ribs, but could not establish an exact cause of death. Delgado had allegedly told friends that Hunt had been struck by a vehicle. He is currently being held on $1 million bail.

Krista Hunt’s family is grappling with the loss.

“I can’t imagine the pain my mom is going through right now,” Hunt’s brother said. “I know the pain I feel, and it’s hard… He took 60 years of my relationship with Krista away.”

original source