Man slept in stranger’s shed and shot her as she watched TV before he killed 2 others on Utah trail, officials say
Utah Trail Tragedy: Iowa Man Allegedly Killed Three Women After Staying in Shed
Three women were found dead near Capitol Reef National Park in south-central Utah, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. The victims included Margaret Oldroyd, 86; Linda Dewey, 65; and Natalie Graves, 34. Dewey was Graves’ aunt, the department noted. No evidence links Oldroyd to the other two, who were discovered at separate locations. The case centers on Ivan Miller, a 22-year-old Iowa man charged with three counts of aggravated murder.
Alleged Confession Details
Court filings reveal Miller reportedly confessed to the slayings, stating “‘it had to be done’ but he did not like to do it.” The documents claim he used a .45-caliber handgun and a knife, stabbing one victim multiple times. Authorities allege he targeted Oldroyd first, shooting her in the back of the head as she sat watching television in her home. Miller reportedly spent the night in a shed on her property before entering her residence.
“Miller said he did it because he needed money,” the documents state.
After killing Oldroyd, Miller took her Buick but expressed dissatisfaction with the car, seeking a different vehicle. Later, he approached two women near a trail, shooting them as they exited a white Subaru. The older woman continued moving, prompting Miller to stab her with a knife. The bodies were placed in a ditch, and the victims’ credit cards were reportedly used to purchase gas. The Subaru’s key fob was tracked by a victim’s husband, leading to the car’s discovery in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Law enforcement used automated license plate readers and a theft-recovery system to follow Miller’s escape. He was arrested at 2:45 a.m. Thursday in Colorado, where the stolen Subaru was found. The investigation continues as officials work to piece together the sequence of events. The Utah Highway Patrol confirmed no prior connections between Miller and the victims.
