WAYNE COUNTY, Utah — A suspect has been taken into custody after three women were found dead at multiple scenes across Wayne County, including a local hiking trail.
Ivan Miller is suspected in the deaths of three women who were found murdered in Utah. (Pagosa Springs Detention Center)
Two women were originally found dead Wednesday afternoon on an unidentified trail near Capitol Reef National Park, and a third victim was later found dead inside a Wayne County home in Lyman. However, it’s believed the woman in the home was killed before the two victims on the trail off SR-12.
The suspect, identified as Ivan Miller, 23, stole the vehicle from one of the victims located on the trail, which was tracked through southern Utah and into northern Arizona before it was found abandoned in Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Following a brief search utilizing drones, Miller was apprehended without incident and found to have a concealed handgun and large knife, the Pagosa Springs Police Department said.
According to the Utah Department of Public Safety, Miller, who is from Iowa, had no previous relationships with the victims, and it’s not known how long he was in the area or state before the incidents. He is currently being held at the Archuleta County detention center on a weapons charge.
The first two victims were a woman in their 30s and a woman in their 60s, while the woman found in the home was in her 80s. The deaths of the women on the trail were first reported to law enforcement by their husbands through calls made Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.
None of the victims has been identified as next of kin notifications are underway, but they were from Utah.
The Utah Department of Public Safety and the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office are investigating the homicides in the Lyman and Torrey area.
There is no longer an ongoing threat to the public, and no suspects remain outstanding.
While Miller was at large, law enforcement urged residents to take extra precautions, such as locking doors, remaining at home or with others, and being vigilant about their surroundings.
The investigation was centered around a 2022 White Subaru Outback with license plate U560YF. It’s not known if that was the vehicle detained by law enforcement officials.
The Wayne County School District has canceled all classes Thursday and Friday out of an abundance of caution, with counselors being available for students upon return to school next week.
This story was originally published by Scripps News Group of Salt Lake City.
