A suspect connected to a brutal triple homicide in rural Utah was tracked across several states in less than 24 hours. The investigation was aided by license plate readers, a victim’s key fob tracking signal, and evidence found at two crime scenes.
Authorities say the killings began in the small town of Lyman, Utah, where a home invasion and murder were reported on Wednesday.
First Victim Killed in Lyman, Utah
The prosecutors claimed that the home of an elderly person had been entered, with the suspect, who is 22-year-old Ivan Miller, allegedly waiting inside until the owner came home.
The elderly woman, who is 86, came home and sat down to watch television, but she was then shot in the back of the head by the suspect. The suspect then allegedly stole her car and drove it away from the home.
The investigators then claimed that the suspect allegedly told them that the car was not satisfactory, and they had to get another car.
Two Hikers Fatally Attacked Near Torrey
Once the first vehicle was taken, it was driven approximately 13 miles southeast towards the town of Torrey, an area known for hiking trails and beautiful views.
The two women, who arrived at the trailhead in a white Subaru Outback, were the next targets of the shooter. According to the indictment, one of the women was shot once in the chest area. The other victim was shot several times and then stabbed several times as well.
The victims, who were identified as a 65-year-old woman and her 34-year-old niece, were found by their husbands when they failed to arrive home.
Once deputies arrived at the crime scene, footprints were found in the area. The Buick Regal, taken from the first victim, had been left at the trailhead, and the Subaru, belonging to the hikers, had been taken.
Multi-State Manhunt Begins
The missing Subaru was registered in the license plate reader system by the law enforcement agencies. The Subaru was later located in Bicknell, Utah, in the morning hours.
Later that evening, the victim’s husband was able to track the location of his wife’s key fob using a cell phone application. He was able to get a signal indicating the location of the key fob in Farmington, New Mexico, approximately 300 miles away from the crime scene.
At the same time, the Subaru was also located using Flock Safety cameras in the Four Corners region, which includes New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, and Colorado.
The authorities in Durango, Colorado, were alerted about the location of the Subaru, which was said to have passed through the city and was heading towards Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Suspect Located and Arrested
The law enforcement agencies in Pagosa Springs were notified immediately. Soon after, the stolen Subaru was located, abandoned, in the downtown area.
The search for the suspect was initiated, and multiple law enforcement agencies joined the search. By early Thursday morning, the suspect was located and arrested.
The suspect was found to be carrying both a handgun and a large knife at the time of arrest.
It was stated that, through this coordinated effort and technology, the suspect was not able to travel further undetected.
Motive and Investigation Details
During the interrogation, the suspect is said to have revealed that the motive behind the crimes was financial in nature. Credit cards belonging to the victims were taken and used to purchase fuel.
The authorities also revealed that the suspect had revealed his motive and intention, which was to return to Iowa.
The suspect had been on a cross-country trip before committing the crimes. During the trip, the suspect had a car accident involving a truck he was driving, which had collided with an elk.
After the accident, the car was sold to a company that operated a tow truck, and the suspect had obtained lodging in the area.
The suspect was said to have arrived in Lyman, Utah, and used a shed located behind the first victim’s home as a place of shelter. He had broken into the victim’s home after she had left the premises, and he had remained there until she returned.
