Mounting Debt, Divorce Likely Factors In Shooting

"OGDEN, UT — Ogden police confirmed Saturday they are looking into the fatal shooting of a man and woman Friday as a likely murder/suicide.

"Ogden Lt. Steve Zaccardi said investigators are still determining the nature of the shooting but are `leaning` toward a murder/suicide from the information available. Ogden police also said Friday the man was the suspect in the case.

"The deceased, both in their 50s, died early Friday evening inside a home at 548 N. Eccles Avenue. A woman in her 20s was also shot in the hand at the home. All three are related, police confirmed, but they didn't say how. Police declined Saturday to identify those killed.

"Several neighbors said the deceased were husband and wife, adding the injured girl is their daughter. The wife had filed for divorce about a week before the shooting, neighbors who spoke with her brother told [reporters], about a week before the shooting because of disagreements over finances and mounting debt."

From standard.net...

Three Dead In Midnight Shooting

"LOGAN, UT — Police say a Logan man forced his way into an apartment shortly after midnight Monday and shot and killed two people before going to another apartment and fatally shooting himself.

"MacKenzie Madden, 19, of Logan, and Johnathon Jacob Sadler, 25, of Logan, were shot multiple times and killed inside an apartment at 636 E. 500 North. Later, police found the body of Jared Jay Tolman, 23, of Logan, in an apartment at 1693 N. 400 West.

"Authorities believe Tolman, a member of the Utah Army National Guard at the time of his death, shot and killed Madden and Sadler before taking his own life.

"As of midday Monday, police had not disclosed a possible motive for the apparent double murder/suicide. While Madden and Tolman were reportedly acquaintances, investigators said there did not seem to be any serious relationships between the three people involved and the shootings were not believed to be domestic-related.

"Logan Police Lt. Brad Franke said just after midnight, Tolman forced his way into the apartment on 500 North and fired multiple rounds with a rifle. Franke said detectives believe Tolman went to the apartment with a specific target in mind. He did not say whether Madden or Sadler were the intended targets. Franke said there were no other people in the immediate vicinity when the shots were fired.

"Logan police officers were called to the apartment at 12:16 a.m.

"Some tenants called 911 believing there had been an explosion. But no evidence of an explosion or fireworks were found, police said. Some witnesses reported that a vehicle was spotted fleeing from the area shortly after the shootings.

"About 45 minutes later, officers were called to another report of a shooting at a second apartment. That's where they found Tolman's body, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound."

Read more at Deseret News...

Mother And Son Found Dead

"FAIRVIEW HEIGHTS, UT — The Sanpete County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday identified the victims of an apparent murder/suicide as a Fairview Heights mother and her adult son.

"In a statement, Sheriff Brian Nielsen identified the dead as Marilee Poulson, 51, and her 27-year-old son Kyle Poulson.

"Initial investigation indicates that Kyle Poulson first shot his mother to death on Monday, and then turned an unspecified firearm on himself.

"`Our investigation as well as the State Medical Examiner’s is ongoing. Any word on a motive would be speculative at this point,` the statement read. `Our deepest heartfelt condolences go out to the family during this time.`

"However, 6th District Court records do show that on June 4, Kyle Poulson’s wife filed for divorce and also obtained a temporary protective order against him."

Source: Salt Lake Tribune...

"There Were No Red Flags"

"SPANISH FORK, UT — Investigators say a quadruple murder-suicide claimed the lives of a Spanish Fork family of four and another relative whose bodies were discovered Thursday night.

"According to Spanish Fork police, officers visited a home at 37 North 630 West Thursday night for a welfare check after Lindon police officer Joshua Boren failed to arrive for work.

"Officers said when they arrived, they noticed through a window that there was blood on the carpet of the front room as well as empty handgun shell casings. When officers entered the home, they found the bodies of five people who had all sustained gunshot wounds.

"Investigators said Joshua Boren, 34, killed four family members and then took his own life. They said no suicide note was found in the home.

"The four victims have been identified as Kelly Boren, 32, Joshua `Jaden` Boren, 7, Haley Boren, 5, and Marie King, 55. King has been identified as Kelly’s mother.

"Investigators said Joshua and Kelly had been experiencing marital problems for the past several months and recently separated.

"During a press conference Friday, Spanish Fork police said Joshua worked as an officer with the Lindon City Police Department. He also previously worked as a deputy with the Utah County Sheriff’s Office for about seven years as a patrol officer and with their corrections department.

"Spencer Cannon, Utah County Sheriff’s Office, said Joshua Boren resigned from UCSO, but was re-hired part-time.

"Cody Cullimore, the Lindon City Police Chief, said Joshua had been a Lindon police officer for about three months and he had already got to know the Boren family through some events held by the department.

"Cullimore said it was his understanding that Joshua and Kelly Boren had separated, but were on friendly terms.

"`There were no red flags. Everything about him was outstanding,` Cullimore said in an interview Friday morning. `[It is] a tragedy on so many levels. We may never know what happened, why it happened. Unfortunately, the people that know are no longer here.`"

Read more at fox13now.com...

UPDATE:

02/11/2014 — From DisneyLand to Murder/Suicide...

Mom Shoots Daughters, Self As Boyfriend Moves Out

"SYRACUSE, UT — A 32-year-old Utah mom gunned down her two young daughters and then herself on Tuesday—just one day after her fiancé came to move his things out of their shared Syracuse home.

"Kyler Ramsdell-Oliva shot daughters Kenadee, 13, and Isabella, 7, around 6 p.m. before turning the gun on herself.

"Her fiancé, KSTU-TV reported, was outside with a U-Haul truck just as the gunshots rang out. Police had supervised the couple as the unidentified man moved his belongings out of the home around 6 p.m. Monday.

"Cops quickly ruled the man out as a suspect, the Deseret News reported.

"`It’s considered a murder/suicide, so there are no suspects at large. We’ve spoken to the fiancé (and) we’ve spoken to the family... And that’s when we came to the conclusion it was a murder/suicide,` Syracuse Police Officer Erin Behm told the newspaper.

"Police first came to the home Monday. About 24 hours later, tragedy struck.

"Police say the family had lived in the town for about three months—and the young girls had only just entered school. Kenadee, an eighth-grader at a local junior high, had only attended one day of school while Isabella, a first-grader, attended about a week of classes, the Deseret News reported.

"The mother’s Facebook page is littered with photos of herself and two young daughters in happier times.

"Just last week, Ramsdell-Oliva wrote that she was `feeling annoyed` as she wrote on Facebook about apparent relationship troubles.

"`I hate people who feel it’s their right to come in the middle of a relationship and try to fix it or give their opinion,` she wrote. `You aren’t in that relationship for a reason so don’t put yourself in between it. Focus on your own life and your own problems.`

"Cops have not released a motive for the crime and autopsies are pending."

Source: New York Daily News

"No Sign Of Trouble" In Dead Couple's Home

"LAYTON, UT — A Layton couple is dead in what police are calling a murder/suicide.

"Police say the husband and wife died from gunshot wounds, and it was their 20-year-old daughter, home for the holidays, who found them and called 911.

"Officers were called to Bret and Jill Pepper's home, 580 N. Franklin Road, at approximately 1:35 a.m. on Sunday, Layton police officer Curtis Salvensen said. Their daughter told dispatchers the couple had been fighting.

"`During the course of the argument she heard several loud noises that she described as gunshots,` Salvensen said.

"Investigators believe it was Bret Pepper who shot his wife, and then himself. He died at the scene, police said. Jill Pepper was transported to a local hospital, where she died from her injuries.

"Both Bret and Jill Pepper were in their late 30s. Salvensen said the couple's 10- and 13-year-old sons were also in the home at the time of the shooting and were staying with relatives Sunday evening.

"`At this time it doesn't appear that any of the other family members knew what was going on or witnessed the incident,` Salvensen said.

"The couple's neighbors said there was no sign of trouble in the Pepper home, and many were shocked to learn the news of their deaths Sunday.

"Salvensen said police hadn't been called to the home before, and investigators were trying to determine what led to the argument and subsequent deaths."

From ksl.com...

Stolen Guns Found With Dead Teens

"SOUTH JORDAN, UT — Two young boys found dead in the basement of a home in the Daybreak neighborhood a week ago died in a murder/suicide, police said Friday.

"An autopsy determined that Taylor Wheeler, 12, died of a single gunshot wound and Dayton Gessell, 15, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"But what South Jordan police still could not answer Friday, was whether the shooting of Taylor was an intentional act.

"`At this point we don't know if it was intentional or accidental, that's part of the investigative process,` said South Jordan Police Sgt. Sam Winkler.

"Taylor and Dayton were found dead inside a home at 4781 W. Pine Canyon Way on the evening of Nov. 15. Neither boy lived in the house. Three teens, including two brothers who live at the home, were also in the basement at the time — a 16-year-old and two 14-year-olds.

"Three guns were recovered from the house. Winkler said the guns had been reported as stolen that day. One of the weapons was used in both shootings. Winkler declined to say where the guns were stolen from.

"`That's part of the investigative process,` he said.

"Questions about why the boys had the guns or what they planned to do with them were also still being investigated Friday."

Read more at ksl.com...

Dead Couple Found During Welfare Check

"HOLLADAY, UT — Investigators believe a Holladay couple whose bodies were found in their home late Wednesday night were victims of a murder/suicide.

"Unified Police Lt. Justin Hoyal said Thursday that detectives and forensics personnel worked through the night inside a home at 2647 E. Valley View Ave, investigating the deaths of 78-year-old Mildred T. Clayton-Kunz and her husband, Larry P. Kunz, 79.

"Hoyal said UPD officers were dispatched to the home after a 911 call from relatives about 8:30 p.m. seeking a welfare check on the couple.

"`Family members of the deceased had gone over to check on Larry and Mildred Kunz as they had not heard from them for some time,` Hoyal said. `The last anyone talked to them was around the end of October or first of November.`

"Getting no response upon arrival, officers forced entry into the home and located the bodies of the couple, dead from apparent gunshot wounds. Hoyal declined to specify the location of the wounds, though he did say a firearm was found near Larry Kunz."

Source: Salt Lake Tribune...

Evil Stepfather

"BRIGHAM CITY, UT — A 16-year-old girl and her stepfather were found dead in their Brigham City home, and police are still looking for answers in what appears to be a murder-suicide.

"The body of Alix Norman was discovered about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon by her mother, Chrishelle Woodruff, as she returned from work to the family home at 545 N. 100 East.

"Norman’s body was found at the foot of the stairs, according to Brigham City Police Lt. Mike Nelson. The mother immediately notified police.

"In their search of the residence, police also found the body of 45-year-old Michael Woodruff in a bedroom. A .40-caliber handgun was located near him.

"The family dog was found shot to death in another room.

"Police Lt. Mike Nelson said no notes or others clues were found at the scene, but a neighbor did report hearing `popping` sounds at about 4:30 p.m. He said he had assumed they came from a nail gun, as the home was under extensive renovations.

"Nelson said there did not appear to be any problems in the family, and the victims seemed to have had a good relationship.

"Chrishelle Woodruff told officers she was not aware that her husband, a truck driver, even owned a gun, so investigators will be looking at ownership of the weapon.

"`Right now we don’t have answers to the whys,` Nelson said. `They took those answers with them.`"

From hjnews.com...

"Very Nice People" Found Dead In Home

"ST GEORGE, UT — A husband and wife were found dead in their St. George house Monday.

"A firearm was believed to be involved with both deaths, according to St. George police. Although investigators were not publicly calling it a murder/suicide Monday, they said they did not believe there were any outstanding suspects.

"`The incident is contained to that residence,` said St. George Police Sgt. Sam Despain.

"Neighbors say the bodies of Paul Day, 60, and Mary Ann Day, 47, were found in their home, near 2000 East and 200 South, just after 9 a.m. by their 18-year-old son.

"`We're all really quite shocked this had to happen,` said neighbor Tim Gee.

"Gee said he didn't know of any domestic problems with the couple and even saw them out walking together Sunday night.

"`They were holding hands and talking, and I didn't see anything wrong,` he said. `They just seemed to be very nice people who were always willing to help others.`

"Gee said his son heard something that sounded like fireworks about 2 a.m. but didn't think much of it. The neighborhood was in shock Monday, he said, adding that the couple was considered to be friendly and the type of people who were always willing to help out their neighbors when needed."

From KSL.com...

"Tumultuous Relationship" Ends With Murder/Suicide

"SALT LAKE CITY, UT — On Tuesday, Salt Lake City police were still trying to determine what caused Calvin Eatchel to shoot his wife to death outside of his home in the 1600 West block of Eisenhower Way and then turn the gun on himself Monday afternoon.

"Salt Lake City police Det. Cody Lougy said detectives were treating the death as an apparent murder/suicide and officers were still trying to determine a motive.

"When police arrived, they found Debra Eatchel dead of a gunshot wound in the driver’s seat of a car that was half on a driveway and half on a nearby lawn.

"Calvin Eatchel was lying dead of a gunshot wound in the middle of the street about 50 feet away, police said.

"`We don’t know at that point what took place [to cause Calvin Eatchel to shoot his ex-wife],` Lougy said.

"Utah court records show the couple has had a tumultuous relationship over the years."

Read more at the Salt Lake Tribune...

"There's Lots Of Unanswered Questions"

"SPANISH FORK, UT — Police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide involving a Spanish Fork man who they say killed his 2-year-old son before killing himself Sunday.

"Bryson Drew, 21, and his son, Chanse, were found dead inside a home at 826 S. Fox Hill Drive by Drew's sister around 8:40 p.m., said Spanish Fork Police Lt. Matthew Johnson. Officers initially responded on reports of a suicide and found both Drew and his son.

"The child was found in a bedroom on the main floor of the home with blunt force trauma injuries, Johnson said. The boy's father was found in the basement of the home with a single gunshot wound to the head.

"A suicide note was found at the home but it didn't offer an explanation for the deaths.

"`It briefly just stated how the deceased wanted some property passed on to relatives," Johnson said. "At this point, there's lots of unanswered questions.`"

From KSL.com...

Bodies Found In Garage

"OAKLEY, UT — Police were investigating a murder-suicide in Summit County on Sunday.

"Dispatchers received a call around 1:15 p.m. reporting two deceased persons at a residence near the 4000 block of state Route 32 in Oakley, Summit County Sheriff Dave Edmunds said. The call came in from a concerned family friend who found a man and woman in their 40s in a garage outside of their car.

"The deaths were initially described as `suspicious in nature,` but were later classified as a murder/suicide. Edmunds said a handgun was found near the couple.

"Each had suffered a single gunshot wound to the head. Edmunds said the pair was in a relationship but were not married.

"Edmunds said they had also lived together at some point, but it is unclear if they were living together at the time of their deaths.

"The names of those involved were not immediately released, but they were described as being in their 40s.

"Police were not aware of any previous violence at the home, and there was no immediate indication of what prompted the incident.

"`It's absolutely shocking,` neighbor Ron Lenfield said. `If a meteor hit right there, it would be just as shocking as that.`"

From KSL.com...

Botched Murder/Suicide Lands Young Dad In Jail

"AMERICAN FORK, UT — A 5-month-old baby boy died Friday after suffering a single gunshot wound to the head, the victim of an apparent murder-suicide attempt.

"Police arrested the baby's father, Joshua David Petersen, 21, of American Fork, and booked him into Utah County Jail for investigation of aggravated murder.

"Investigators said Petersen laid his son, Ryker, on a couch, went into another room and loaded a single .22 round into a rifle, then returned and shot the baby. Investigators said Petersen told them he had been planning to kill his son and then himself for the past month.

"Investigators said Petersen shot the baby and was about to shoot himself when a family member in the house tackled him before he could pull the trigger again.

"The baby was taken to American Fork Hospital, then transported by medical helicopter to Primary Children's Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead.

"`Through our investigation, we learned that (Petersen's) intent was to kill his son and then himself,` American Fork Police Sgt. Gregg Ludlow said."

From KSL...

"It Certainly Came Out Of The Blue"

"PRICE, UT — A couple is dead in what Carbon County investigators are calling an apparent murder-suicide. Authorities said a man called the Price Utah Public Safety Dispatch just before 3 a.m. on Sunday to report that he shot his wife and intended to shoot himself. Officers from various police agencies responded to a residence on 635 West 300 South in Price.

"Four children were safely removed from the residence as officers attempted to make contact with the husband and wife who remained inside.

"A Carbon County Sheriff SWAT team entered the residence and discovered the bodies of 37-year old David Scott Donaldson and 32-year old Shaniel Kaye Donaldson in the master bedroom.

"The investigation by Price Police Department and the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office is ongoing. The children—who were not physically harmed—are in the custody of family members.

"According to Price Police Captain Bill Barnes, there had been no history of `domestic discord` in the home, making the incident all the more surprising.

"`From the outside, it certainly came out of the blue,` he said. `It's a shock to everybody that knew them. It's very horrific!`"

From Deseret News...

Bodies Found In SUV

"SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Two adults found dead Friday inside a vehicle on an I-80 off-ramp were likely killed in a murder-suicide, police said.

"Utah Highway Patrol troopers said the SUV was parked on the side of the road on I-80 eastbound to Redwood Road.

"The female driver of the car and her male passenger — later identified as Iris Rodriguez, 32, and Felipe Rodriguez, 37 — both had gunshot wounds to the head.

"`It appears the driver was shot first, and then the passenger shot himself,` Utah Highway Patrol Lt. Steven Winward said.

"`We don't know the extent of this family, if they had family or what, if they leave behind children or what,` Winward said. `We don't know the entire situation.`

"The car was parked under the I-215 overpass and UHP closed the ramp to I-80 eastbound at Redwood Road as well as the southbound I-215 west ramp to I-80 southbound while the investigation was underway. It remained closed until early Friday afternoon."

From KSL.com...

Dead Men Had "Significant Health Problems"

"SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Two men found dead Friday in a Salt Lake City home were the victims of a murder-suicide, the Medical Examiner’s Office has determined.

"Police said the 70-year-old man shot and killed his domestic partner, a 67-year-old man, before taking his own life in the living room of a home at 1011 S. 400 East.

"Sgt. Shawn Josephson said police are withholding both men’s names until their next of kin can be notified.

"He said police aren’t sure how long the pair had been dead before their bodies were discovered during a welfare check after a hospice worker was unable to contact them Friday morning. The two men were last seen alive Wednesday.

"The slaying marked the city’s first homicide of 2013.

"Josephson said police aren’t certain what prompted the murder-suicide. No note was left, and he said police have never responded to the home before.

"`I don’t think we’re ever going to be able to determine what motivated that person to pull the trigger,` he said.

"He said both men suffered from significant health problems."

Source: The Salt Lake Tribune...

Another Estranged Husband With A Gun Returns

"HELPER, UT — A man who gunned down his estranged wife’s boyfriend then killed himself Sunday in this Carbon County mining community may have been driven by jealously, police said Monday.

"Police Chief Trent Anderson said Jeromie Bunch, 30, walked into his wife’s residence on Bryner Street just before 1 p.m. Sunday and confronted and fatally shot her boyfriend, James Mitchell, 31, on the home’s back porch. Bunch then walked into garage and took his own life.

"Bunch’s estranged wife, meanwhile, had rushed her two sons and Mitchell’s three daughters into a room to protect them. None of them was hurt.

"Court records show that Bunch, who lived only a few blocks away from the crime scene, had filed for divorce in August. In turn, his wife had filed for and received a protective order against Bunch at the end of November. That order was still in effect Sunday.

"`This a tragic event for this community [and] two sets of children who have lost their fathers.` Anderson said. `They’re pretty tore up about it.`

"Anderson added that Bunch previously tried to take his own life sometime around Thanksgiving, which was when police first became aware of him.

"The two boys remained in the custody of their mother; the three girls were staying with a grandmother, the chief said. All of the children were under age 9.

"By Monday morning the home—a small red and green brick structure—was blanketed in heavy snow. The curtains were drawn over the windows but the porch light was still on. A snowman decoration dangled from the mailbox."

From The Salt Lake Tribune...

Body Spotted Through Window

"SYRACUSE, UT — In what police believe to be a murder-suicide, a husband and wife, Gary and Jessica Lucero, were found dead Monday morning in their Syracuse home, at 903 S. 2125 West.

"Several neighbors gathered Monday evening at the couple’s upscale home, where they placed a candle on the porch next to a pumpkin display.

"Neighbors said Jessica Lucero was 39 and husband Gary was 42. Both were civilian employees at Hill Air Force Base, neighbors said.

"Syracuse police were dispatched to the home around 8 a.m. on a report of a male who possibly was deceased.

"Syracuse Police Lt. Tracy Jensen said a person had seen the dead man through a window and called dispatchers.

"According to The Associated Press, police had to force their way into the house, where they found the couple’s bodies inside.

"Jensen said officers were not disclosing the manner of death or the way the murder-suicide was committed.

"Reports indicate that it appears the husband killed his wife and then himself.

"Other media reported that a 10-year-old boy was at home at the time of the deaths. Neighbors said the couple have three children, one of whom still lives at home."

From the Standard-Examiner...

Heated Argument Turns Into Tragic Situation

"TAYLORSVILLE, UT — A woman was shot to death early Saturday by her live-in boyfriend, who later fled their home and killed himself on the playground of an elementary school, police said.

"`This was a very, very tragic situation,` said Unified Police Department detective Levi Hughes.

"Alida Dalton and Zak Cabell were arguing at their home, 3000 South Valley Heights Drive in a heated exchange that prompted a female roommate to call police just after 2 a.m., Hughes said.

"`She was very scared, afraid for her safety and whispering on the phone,` he said.

"Officers tried to make contact with anyone who may have been inside, but were met with silence. When they entered the home, the found the body of a Dalton, 28, who had been shot and later died from her injuries.

"While still on the scene, officers heard a gunshot and tracked it to a nearby elementary school, Arcadia, where they found the body of her boyfriend, Cabell, 30. He died of a single, self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"Hughes said officers are still investigating the sequence of events that led to the shooting, but added, "it was an argument that clearly got of hand."

"Granite School District released a statement to reassure parents of students who attend Arcada Elementary School, where the man shot himself."

From KSL.com...