A shocking crime that shook Salt Lake City has now reached a painful conclusion. A Utah teen who brutally murdered his own friend has been sentenced to spend decades behind bars. The case, filled with betrayal, violence, and heartbreak, has left a family forever changed and a community struggling to understand how such a tragedy could happen between two teenagers.
A Brutal Crime That Ended a Young Life
Rowdy Lee Aguilar, now 21, has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the murder of 15-year-old Ivan “Nik” Vetecnik. Aguilar pleaded guilty to aggravated murder with a mental health condition in September. At the time of the crime, Aguilar was only 17 years old.
According to court records, the crime took place on May 26, 2021, in Salt Lake City. Surveillance video showed Aguilar and Vetecnik entering Aguilar’s home around 10 a.m. More than three hours later, Aguilar was seen leaving alone, wearing a blood-soaked shirt. He later walked to a nearby business carrying garbage bags, raising early suspicions.
Police later revealed that Vetecnik had been stabbed more than 30 times. Parts of his body were found in a cargo trailer, while other remains were discovered behind the home. Investigators also recovered a bloody leather glove and a knife inside the trailer, which reportedly smelled strongly of cleaning chemicals.
A Sister’s Painful Words in Court
During the sentencing hearing, Vetecnik’s sister, Samantha VanTreese, delivered a heartbreaking victim impact statement. She spoke directly to Aguilar, reminding him of the bond he had betrayed.
“You were his friend. He trusted you. My brother looked up to you,” she said. She described the pain of knowing her brother spent his final moments in fear and alone. Her words reflected the deep emotional damage left behind, not just for her but for the entire family.
VanTreese later shared that Aguilar did admit responsibility in court. He reportedly told the family, “Nik did absolutely nothing to me. I’m sorry for being a snake. I’m sorry for being a monster.” While the apology was acknowledged, it offered little comfort to a family that has lost a son and brother forever.
The Investigation and Aguilar’s Confession
When police first questioned Aguilar, he denied knowing Vetecnik at all. He claimed he had spent the day at his girlfriend’s house. Officers noticed cuts on his hands, which Aguilar tried to explain away by saying he got injured while slicing ribs for a barbecue.
Over time, his story began to fall apart. Evidence collected from the home, the trailer, and nearby areas contradicted his statements. Eventually, Aguilar confessed, simply saying, “I did it.” Despite the confession, investigators have never publicly revealed a clear motive for the attack, leaving many unanswered questions.
What the Sentence Means
Although Aguilar has been sentenced to 25 years to life, he will not immediately be sent to adult prison. Because he committed the crime as a minor, he will remain in a youth facility until the age of 25. After that, he will be transferred to an adult prison to serve the remainder of his sentence.
For the Vetecnik family, the sentence brings some sense of justice, but not closure. In a Facebook post, Samantha VanTreese said the guilty plea felt like a win, but added that no amount of prison time could ever truly make up for the loss of her younger brother.
