Juan Delgado, 42, faces second-degree murder charges in the death of 37-year-old Krista Hunt, whose body was found in the Skagit River near Concrete, Washington. The Skagit County Sheriff's Office reported severe injuries including a broken neck, jaw, and ribs on Hunt's remains. Hunt's family described Delgado as abusive, citing past incidents of violence.
Krista Hunt was last seen on January 25 near a restaurant in Concrete, a rural town in northern Washington state, after running out of gas from a truck, according to her mother Pamela Hunt. She was officially reported missing on February 1. An affidavit details that Delgado told deputies on that day he had not heard from Hunt in five days but wanted to return her two dogs, claiming past relationship issues were resolved and they were on good terms then. Two days later, Delgado shot himself at a local bar, survived, and stated he 'missed Krista.' Weeks later, on March 18, authorities confirmed remains pulled from the Skagit River beneath Concrete belonged to Hunt. The coroner noted injuries such as a broken neck, broken jaw, and broken ribs, though the exact cause of death was undetermined. Clumps of Hunt's hair and blood were found in Delgado's truck. Hunt's mother alleged prior abuse, including Delgado boot-stomping her daughter's leg and chest, causing a broken leg, and setting a timer to hit her every 15 minutes. Delgado reportedly told friends Hunt had been hit by a car. He allegedly broke her neck before dumping the body. Delgado, held on unrelated charges, now faces $1 million bail. Hunt's brother expressed grief: 'I can't imagine the pain my mom is going through right now... He stole 60 years of my relationship with Krista.'