Adopted daughter among 2 teen girls charged with murder of woman found butchered in Utah vacation rental
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Two teenage girls, including the adopted daughter of the victim, were charged with murder after a woman was found stabbed to death inside a vacation rental in Utah nearly two weeks ago, according to investigators.

The Washington City Police Department said Abigael Paige Flanagan, 17, and Mihaela Gabriela Sorescu, 16, were charged with the murder of 47-year-old Andreea Mottram. Police said Flanagan also goes by the name “Jay” and Sorescu also goes by the name “Bella.”

Investigators said Mottram was found by house cleaners on March 23 inside a Washington City rental property, with over a dozen stab wounds to her upper body.

Washington County Attorney Eric Clarke told FOX 13 that Sorescu and Flanagan are being charged as adults with murder, as well as car theft, after allegedly taking Mottram’s rented car back to California following the crime. 

The day before her body was discovered, Mottram posted a selfie on her Facebook page, captioned “This is… almost 48.” 

She also posted, “The trouble is, you think you have time,” four days prior to her selfie. 

“The apprehension of both suspects is a crucial step in the investigation,” the Washington City Police Department said. “However, the investigation team is currently following up on many aspects of the case. Again, our sincerest condolences go out to the family and friends of the victim of this senseless act of violence.”

Sorescu and Flanagan were being held in the Dixie Area Detention Center in Washington County.

Mottram labeled herself as a “Hospice social worker, Romanian living a Californian life, and mother in three special ways,” according to her about-me section on her Facebook page. 

She was also a co-founder of disability and refugee aid associations in the U.S. and Romania, including the Chicago-based American Romanian Coalition for Human and Equal Rights, according to the organization’s Facebook page.

“It is with deep sorrow that we mourn the loss of our beloved Andreea Mottram, a fierce advocate, a compassionate leader, and a dear friend to so many within our community,” the group wrote. “Like many of you, we are still in shock at this heartbreaking news. Andreea’s dedication to justice, equity, and human rights was not just a mission—it was the very essence of who she was.”

Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to stepheny.price@fox.com

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