MIDVALE, Utah, Oct. 28, 2020 (Gephardt Daily) — A Midvale mother was stabbed and killed in front of her children Wednesday.
Unified Police say one of the children was wounded in what investigators believe was an attempted murder-suicide involving the mother and father.
Sgt. Melody Cutler, public information officer for Unified Police, said officers were called to the home after the couple’s two children ran to neighbors and said their father was attacking their mother.
Police arrived at 115 W. Settlement Circle just after 6 p.m. and found the mother, Utahna Halona, 41, in extremely critical condition.
First responders worked to save her, but Halona died at the scene.
“She never made it to the hospital,” Cutler said.
The father, identified as John Weston Erickson, 41, suffered serious injuries.
“We believe they are self-inflicted,” Cutler said.
He was taken into custody and then transported to the hospital. It was uncertain when he might be booked into jail.
Police say the couple’s 7-year-old daughter suffered cuts to one hand.”We think she tried to intervene and help her mother,” Cutler said.
Another child, an 11-year-old boy, was uninjured.
Cutler said the sister and brother were taken to the hospital, where the girl received stitches.
“Our deepest condolences to her family and friends, Cutler said.
The children were being placed in the care of social workers until police could notify next of kin.
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information becomes available.
