Police arrest victim’s roommate in Poplar Grove murder investigation

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — Detectives from the Salt Lake City Police Department have arrested a man in connection with a suspicious death investigation.

On Sunday, Oct. 5, shortly before 11:30 p.m., officers found Timothy Ruthenberg, 59, dead in his apartment near 1900 West North Temple Street in the Poplar Grove neighborhood.

The state medical examiner’s office later determined the cause of death a homicide, leading detectives to open an investigation into Ruthenberg’s death.

Officers tracked down Ruthenberg’s roommate, who was later identified as Michael Bynum, 54. Bynum is believed to be the last person seen leaving the apartment where Ruthenberg was killed.

SLCPD took Bynum into custody in connection with the murder. He was later booked in the Salt Lake County Jail.