The Deck Podcast: Episode Summary Ralph Salazar & Alice Griego (Ace of Hearts, Utah) Release Date: September 25, 2024
Introduction
In this gripping episode of The Deck, host Ashley Flowers delves into the mysterious and tragic case of Ralph Salazar and Alice Griego, known as the Ace of Hearts from Utah. This episode seeks to shed light on a cold case that has lingered unresolved for over a decade, with hopes that new insights or a listener’s tip might finally bring justice to the victims and peace to their grieving families.
The Night of the Tragedy
On the morning of Friday, December 14, 2012, tragedy struck Salt Lake City, Utah. Alice Griego, a 55-year-old dedicated single mother of five, failed to show up for her shift at Smith's Bakery—a workplace she had been committed to for over 17 years.
Frankie Cisneros, Alice’s son, received a frantic call from his sister, Jenna, expressing concern over their mother's unexplained absence. With Alice never missing a day of work, Frankie immediately rushed to their shared home with her boyfriend, Ralph Salazar.
Upon arrival, Frankie encountered thick smoke emanating from the residence. Attempting to rescue his mother, he faced life-threatening conditions:
Frankie Cisneros [05:06]: "I tried to walk in again, but it was early in the morning... I saw somebody. I think he was a kid... we were able to walk in and walk into the room. And as I got into the room, I just saw my mom."
Despite his desperate efforts, Frankie could only locate his mother’s arm and wrist, unable to save her from the engulfing flames. The harrowing experience culminated in both Ralph and Alice being pronounced deceased at the medical examiner's office, with preliminary investigations suggesting foul play.
Initial Investigation
Detective Ben Pender, leading the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit, took charge of the case. From the onset, investigators suspected that the fire was intended to destroy evidence, noting that the blaze was confined primarily to the bedroom and that an accelerant might have been used, as some neighbors reported smelling gasoline.
Detective Ben Pender [07:19]: "We realized that maybe the fire was to try to cover up any evidence potentially left at the time."
The intense fire made the crime scene difficult to process, with significant damage to potential evidence. Despite recovering some personal items and cell phones, much was lost to the flames and subsequent firefighting efforts. Notably, Pender indicated that while no items appeared to have been stolen, the motive behind targeting Ralph and Alice remained unclear.
Victims’ Backgrounds
Alice Griego was a devoted single mother who had previously endured abusive relationships before finding solace and happiness with Ralph Salazar. Ralph Salazar, 59, was a self-made businessman owning his own aluminum siding and insulation company. Their relationship brought Alice the stability and happiness she had long sought.
Jenna (Alice's daughter) [12:15]: "They went to Paris for her birthday... He really did make my mom happy."
Their happiness, however, was abruptly shattered on that fateful night, leaving their family grappling with loss and unanswered questions.
Possible Motives and Suspects
Investigators initially explored those closest to the victims, uncovering that Ralph was still legally married, though separated for about a decade. This revelation led to speculations about Ralph’s wife possibly having motives tied to financial gains, especially considering reports of threatening letters and Ralph’s substantial life insurance policies.
Alice’s children suspected Ralph’s wife might have had motives related to inheritance and control over Ralph’s assets:
Jermaine (Alice's son) [15:49]: "He’s going to divorce her because he doesn't want to take care of her anymore... She's living this high life, and all of a sudden it's going to get taken from her because he's going to divorce her."
Additionally, suspicions arose regarding a business partner who allegedly had financial disputes with Ralph, including accusations of skimming money from the business. However, Detective Pender noted that thorough financial investigations did not yield conclusive evidence linking the business partner to the murders:
Detective Ben Pender [18:19]: "We just have nothing that indicates that it had to do with the business at this point."
Despite these leads, no individual outside of Ralph and Alice appeared to have a clear motive or opportunity, leaving the case without a definitive suspect.
Evidence and Investigation Progress
The investigation faced significant challenges due to the compromised state of the crime scene. However, efforts continued to piece together the timeline and potential motives. A pivotal development in the case was the collection of a DNA sample, which Detective Pender hinted could be instrumental in solving the case:
Detective Ben Pender [22:47]: "DNA was collected in this case, and it has been processed to what degree it can be processed... we're still investigating and working on what we have with that."
Despite extensive analysis, the DNA evidence had yet to produce actionable leads. Furthermore, advancements in technology and new investigative techniques hold a promise that could one day break the impasse.
Impact on the Families
The unsolved murders of Ralph and Alice had profound emotional and psychological impacts on their children. The loss of their parents compounded with the lingering ambiguity of the case contributed to deep familial trauma.
Mario (Alice's son) [23:09]: "He was crying one day... I told him, I'm not mom, but I promise to do everything that mom tried to do for you."
Tragically, the family's pain further deepened when Mario took his own life a year and a half after the murders, a heartbreaking manifestation of the unresolved grief the family endured.
Call for Information
As years passed without resolution, Detective Pender remains hopeful that new information will come to light. He urges anyone with knowledge or information about the case to come forward, emphasizing that even the smallest detail could be the key to unlocking this mystery.
Detective Ben Pender [25:47]: "If somebody has information, we're going to follow up on it and either include it or exclude it. Those are really the people that I'm looking for, is somebody that may have some information on this case."
Listeners are encouraged to reach out directly to Detective Pender to aid in the investigation:
- Phone: 385-468-9816
- Email: Provided in the show notes
Conclusion
The case of Ralph Salazar and Alice Griego remains a poignant reminder of the enduring pain that unresolved crimes inflict on families. The Deck aims to keep their memory alive and bring renewed attention to their unsolved murders, offering a platform for justice to potentially be served through listener engagement and collective advocacy. As Detective Pender continues his relentless pursuit of the truth, the hope persists that this cold case will one day be solved, closing the chapter on a family's enduring suffering.
For more information on "The Deck" and to support their advocacy work, visit deckpodcast.com.