Police Reveal Blood of Slain Vail Girl Discovered in Family SUV

Police documents reveal critical new details in the tragic case of a 13-year-old Vail girl, Jayden Glomb, whose stepfather has been arrested for her murder. Joshua Lelevier, 37, faces charges of first-degree murder and concealing a dead body, firmly placing him at the center of the investigation.

According to police reports, significant evidence links Lelevier to the crime. He was the only adult present during unsettling online searches on Jayden’s computer related to suicide, drug overdoses, and blood loss prior to her death. Blood belonging to the victim was discovered in the family’s vehicle, and tire tracks at the crime scene matched Lelevier’s SUV.

Jayden was last seen at home on May 10, shortly before her body was found in the desert the next day. Lelevier stated he noticed her absence around 1:30 a.m. after being awakened by his young son. He claims to have searched the neighborhood without success before alerting his wife.

A passerby discovered Jayden’s body around 11 a.m. on May 11, and an autopsy confirmed the cause of death as asphyxiation, with evidence of ligature marks. As detectives continued their investigation, they uncovered shoe impressions and tire tracks near the body that linked back to Lelevier’s vehicle.

Lelevier’s behavior raised suspicions, especially after he reported finding a key in his yard while cleaning. The key, which belonged to the Chevrolet Traverse, was hidden well enough that detectives could only locate it by searching closely. Further examination revealed blood smears in the vehicle, confirmed via DNA testing to belong to Jayden.

Despite maintaining that he had not approached the area where Jayden’s body was found, surveillance footage captured a vehicle resembling Lelevier’s driving towards the scene shortly before her body was discovered. Investigators also scrutinized Jayden’s computer and found deleted searches and what appeared to be a suicide note linked to the timeframe of her disappearance.

In a bizarre turn of events, Lelevier reported an unsubstantiated attack in his backyard by an unidentified figure. Investigators found no support for this claim. Additionally, his wife, Jessica, noted peculiarities in his attire when she informed him about Jayden’s disappearance, specifically a sweatshirt that was not appropriate for the warm weather and had dirt on it, suggesting he may have been outside.

As the investigation progresses, significant questions remain about Lelevier’s actions and statements. He later declined to provide a formal statement at the police station, further deepening the mystery surrounding Jayden’s tragic death.

For inquiries, contact reporter Caitlin Schmidt at cschmidt@tucson.com or call 573-4191. Follow her on Twitter @caitlinschmidt.