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MILLCREEK, Utah, Aug. 22, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — The estranged husband of a Millcreek woman has been booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on suspicion of her aggravated murder and the aggravated assault of their 13-year-old daughter.
Walter Eugene Brantzeg, 54, was booked Wednesday on the first- and second-degree felony charges. Bludgeoned to death was Valerie Sue Brantzeg, 50, who had separated from her husband last month and reportedly begun divorce proceedings.
Their daughter is in extremely critical condition after being badly beaten, reportedly with the same weapon, which officials said was a crowbar.
Unified Police Sgt. Melody Gray said police were called to the Riverbend Apartments, at 845 W. 3900 South, at approximately 7:05 a.m. on a report of domestic violence in progress. She said neighbors reported the victim came out of her apartment screaming for help.
Valerie Brantzeg was found inside an apartment, and reports indicate she had been bludgeoned. She died shortly after paramedics arrived. Her body was taken to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner to determine the cause of death.
The Brantzegs’ daughter was found inside the apartment with head injuries, and was transported to Primary Children’s Hospital.
Walter Brantzeg called several media outlets after the attack, Gray said, apparently “telling them what he had done” and officials pinged his phone while he spoke with the media. He was arrested at approximately 9:15 a.m. in the area of 4500 S. 300 East. He did not resist arrest, Gray said.
Officials have not yet released the exact sequence of events that led up to the attack. It is believed to have been sort of altercation over custody.
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information is made available.
