WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, April 27, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — A 46-year-old man was arrested Friday for the hatchet attack death of his father in West Valley City.
Court documents filed in the case say a witness called dispatch at about 11 a.m. and reported that Jeremy Ross Pulver had killed his father, John Pulver, at the victim’s residence, then fled the area.
The witness remained on scene, Jeremy Pulver’s affidavit says.
“The witness informed first responders that Jeremy beat John to death and filled his mouth with baking soda to ensure he was dead after. The witness reported she learned this from Jeremy as she saw Jeremy just as he was fleeing the scene, and Jeremy shared this information with the witness.
“First responders located John deceased with what appeared to be head trauma. Jeremy was located and apprehended a short time later,” at about 1 p.m., the affidavit says.
Jeremy Pulver was transported to the West Valley City Police Department for questioning, the report says.
“Post Miranda, Jeremy stated the following: Jeremy said he came to John’s house this past Wednesday to visit. During the next two days, Jeremy said John described to Jeremy how John wanted to die because of his elderly condition. John wanted Jeremy to kill him. Jeremy said he wanted John to die.
“Jeremy said he worked up the confidence to kill John, and early this (Friday) morning he went to John’s room. When he entered John’s room, he found John lying in bed. Jeremy said he was ready to kill John, so he first used a rag to try and smother John. Following this, Jeremy retrieved a plastic bag to use to suffocate John, but neither of these methods were successful as John fought back harder than Jeremy ever would’ve expected.
“Jeremy said he felt like John would kill him in defense if he didn’t end it soon, so Jeremy grabbed his hatchet he bought from Lowes and struck John in the head 4 to 6 times until John stopped fighting.
“Jeremy admitted following this, he put sodium bicarbonate, which Jeremy described as baking soda into John’s mouth as he learned this was a good method to ensure someone was dead.”
The crime scene evidence was consistent with statements made, Pulver’s probable cause statement says. It also noted that Pulver provided the correct locations for items used to kill his father.
The WVCPD officer who filed the affidavit recommended Jeremy Pulver be held without bail.
“Jeremy’s actions have demonstrated he could harm/kill the public if released,” the affidavit says. “Clearfield Police are investigating an incident where Jeremy allegedly pointed a firearm at another member of the public a day ago during an argument.”
Pulver was jailed without bail for investigation of murder, a first-degree felony.
