Washington State Man Charged with Murder of Girlfriend

A man in Washington state has been charged with murder following the discovery of his girlfriend’s body in a river. The victim’s mother has alleged a history of severe abuse, which reportedly included the man timing beatings in the weeks prior to her disappearance.

Juan Manuel Delgado Jr., 42, faces a second-degree murder charge for the death of Krista Joy Hunt, 37, as confirmed by the Skagit County Sheriff’s Office. Documentation was submitted to prosecutors on March 19th.

Before her disappearance, Hunt’s mother, Pamela Hunt, said her daughter confided in her about ongoing violence. “She mentioned a broken leg,” Pamela stated. “He would stomp on her feet and chest. At one point, she said he planned to use a timer to hit her every 15 minutes.”

However, these claims have yet to be officially validated by law enforcement.

Krista was reported missing on February 1, disappearing shortly after being last seen in a rural area near Concrete. A search intensified on March 12 when authorities found her body near milepost 90 of the Skagit River. The coroner confirmed it was Krista, but the exact cause of death remains undetermined as investigations are ongoing.

Reports indicate that Delgado was known to Hunt and they were in a relationship. At the time the murder charge was filed, he was already in custody for an unrelated issue in the Skagit County Jail. Previous charges against Delgado include possession of explosives and driving under the influence.

Authorities are also investigating potential signs of violence found in Delgado’s truck, which reportedly included hair and blood stains linked to Hunt. Krista was last seen around January 25, when her vehicle ran out of gas. According to her mother, Krista exited the truck and drove away, but never returned.

Pamela Hunt has publicly questioned the nature of Delgado’s relationship with her daughter, stating, “He was a moment in her life. He inflicted unrelenting cruelty on her.”

While searching for Krista, Pamela shared that her daughter had suffered severe injuries not long before. “Took her to the hospital covered in bruises and with two black eyes,” she indicated, adding that doctors warned Krista might not survive another incident of strangulation.

Delgado reportedly informed authorities he hadn’t seen Hunt for five days and was seeking her pets. Although he acknowledged issues in their relationship, he claimed they were on amicable terms.

Days after Hunt’s disappearance, Delgado shot himself in a bar but survived, later expressing regret about her absence. Her family has been devastated, with her brother expressing, “I can’t imagine the pain my mother feels right now.”

Pamela Hunt confirmed her daughter’s body was found on March 12, expressing gratitude to those involved in the search effort while reflecting on the profound loss. She also mentioned the emotional costs the family now faces for the funeral.

“Krista was fiercely independent,” she said, adding that her daughter was not the type commonly associated with abusive relationships. Currently, Delgado is being held on $1 million bail as the investigation develops.