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MILLCREEK, Utah, Aug. 22, 2018 (Gephardt Daily) — A woman is dead and her 13-year-old daughter is in extremely critical condition after what officials believe to be a domestic violence homicide in Millcreek Wednesday morning.
Unified Police Sgt. Melody Gray said the deceased woman has been identified as Valerie Sue Brantzeg, 50.
The suspect in the case has been arrested and identified as Walter Bratzeg, 54. Walter Brantzeg is the woman’s estranged husband, and the teenager’s father, Gray said.
Gray said police were called to the Riverbend Apartments, at 845 W. 3900 South, at approximately 7:05 a.m. on a report of a domestic violence in progress. She said neighbors reported the victim came out of her apartment screaming for help.
The woman was found inside an apartment, and initial reports indicate she had been bludgeoned. The woman died shortly after paramedics arrived. She has been taken to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner to determine the cause of death.
The woman’s teenage daughter was found inside the apartment with head injuries; she was transported to Primary Children’s Hospital in extremely critical condition. The teenager was also beaten; officials said the suspect was wielding a crowbar.
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; though it is thought there may have been some sort of altercation over custody.
Gray said officials are waiting for a search warrant so they can enter the home, and are in the process of interviewing all witnesses.
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information is made available.
You cannot tell me this man was fighting for custody of his daughter. No one who loves their child could do such a thing. The physical and emotional damage this sweet girl has suffered will haunt her forever. That’s if she can survive. Bless her sweet heart. Let’s hope the system doesn’t fail her and he rots in a cage.