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By Myrna Trauntvein
TN Correspondent

An Arizona woman has been arrested for moving into a Nephi residence while the owner was on vacation and allegedly threatening to kill the Nephi woman when she returned home.

Vanessa Maya Marin, 38, was arrested for burglary of a dwelling, a second-degree felony, and threat of violence, a Class B misdemeanor.

Sorina Trauntvein, Channel 4, broke the story.

According to the arrest statement, on Nov. 10, 2025, the Nephi Police Department was contacted by a woman who reported that she returned from vacation to see that the lights in her home were on and a white BMW with Arizona plates was parked in her driveway.

When officers approached the residence, they found that Marin was inside an attached in-law apartment that had not been secured. They made contact with Marin, who claimed that she owned the house, and the victim was a “serial killer.”

During a conversation with officers, Marin claimed that she owned the residence, and her paperwork was inside the main portion of the house, but she couldn’t get in.

According to documents, Marin said “she was sent here by a deceased, formerly known celebrity.”

Marin was detained by officers and placed into a patrol vehicle while they cleared the residence. Inside, police found clothing, food, medication, and toiletries that did not belong to the homeowner. Marin’s belongings were collected and placed into her vehicle, aside from her purse, wallet, and keys, which were brought to jail with her.

During an interview with the Nephi Police, Marin allegedly claimed that she lived in Phoenix, AZ, but drove to Nephi to “take care of the house,” which she owns.

When asked how she got in, she allegedly told police that she had a key, but lost it. Marin became agitated and stated that the victim was lying to the police, documents say.

Officers confirmed that the home belonged to the victim through public records and also stated that law enforcement is “familiar with the owner of the residence and has prior knowledge that the owner has resided there as long as law enforcement has been familiar with them, which is at least the last several years.”

Marin was booked into the Juab County Jail, where she is currently being held without bail.