An investigation is underway in West Jordan, Utah, following the death of 39-year-old Autumn Mercado, a nurse and mother of three. Police were alerted to a potential problem when a concerned coworker reported Mercado's absence from work. Officers conducted a welfare check at her residence on January 13th and discovered her body at the bottom of a stairwell.

Mercado's husband, Carlos Mercado, 47, was present at the home when officers arrived. He claimed he had found his wife at the bottom of the stairs earlier that day but assumed she was sleeping. According to police statements, he covered her with a blanket and then left the house, using a ride-sharing service to go purchase beer, leaving their three children unattended. Officers reported smelling alcohol on Carlos Mercado's breath and observing multiple open containers of alcohol within the home.

Carlos Mercado was subsequently arrested and booked into Salt Lake County Jail for failure to report a death and two counts of child abandonment. Although he has since been released and has not been formally charged in connection with his wife's death, the investigation is ongoing. The Utah Medical Examiner's Office and the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office are working with the West Jordan Police Department to determine the circumstances surrounding Autumn Mercado's death.

An online obituary described Autumn Mercado as a former competitive gymnast who dedicated her career to nursing, working at the Huntsman Cancer Institute. She was reportedly pursuing further education to become a nurse practitioner. The obituary highlighted her compassion for patients and her deep love for her three children.