SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Jan. 28, 2019 (Gephardt Daily) — The University of Utah has released a statement after a first-year medical student was found dead in an apparent murder-suicide in Sugar House on Sunday evening.
Salt Lake City Police Department spokesman Sgt. Brandon Shearer told Gephardt Daily that the victim has been identified as Sarah Hawley, 27, and the suspect as Travis Geddes, 30.
Shearer said the incident occurred a little after 8 p.m. at a residence on Ramona Avenue in the area of 1800 East. Police were called and when they arrived, they found both Hawley and Geddes deceased in their residence.
The U of U said in the statement Monday: “Today, University of Utah mourns the tragic loss of one of our bright young family medicine residents, Sarah Hawley, MD. Dr. Hawley was a first-year resident who was focusing on continuing her studies in Family & Preventive Medicine.”
Kolawole Okuyemi, MD, MPH, chair, Department of Family & Preventive Medicine, said by way of a prepared statement: “Dr. Hawley came to University of Utah Health from UC San Francisco to continue her passion of providing care to women and children in underserved communities. Her adventurous spirit and love of learning will be missed by all those who knew her.”
“Our thoughts are with Dr. Hawley’s family, friends and co-workers, as well as all those in our community who are impacted by this senseless act of violence,” said Michael Good, MD, CEO, University of Utah Health and Dean, University of Utah School of Medicine.
“Her colleagues have shared Dr. Hawley always did a great job of connecting with her patients and understanding where they were coming from. She treated the whole person, and patients were always appreciative of her approach. She was a promising young physician, and we mourn her loss and extend our deepest sympathies to her family and friends.”
Brian Vukelic, MD, who was Dr. Hawley’s residency advisor, added, “Sarah made it a priority to stay in touch with her family, constantly talking about them and always mentioning her love of family. At the same time, she was excited about the opportunities Utah offered to her, particularly the ability to spend time doing all the outdoor activities she loved so much. Sarah was friendly, fantastic, and hardworking. She always gave everything her all.”
Shearer told Gephardt Daily the address where Hawley and Geddes were found is a single family home that’s been split into an upstairs and a downstairs residence. A person heard a domestic disturbance in the other residence and called officials.
“It appears as though at this point it is a murder-suicide, domestic related,” Shearer said. “We are handling the case as we would any other homicide. An investigation is underway.”
Officials have not released the cause of death for either Hawley or Geddes.
“Our condolences to all affected by this tragedy,” the Salt Lake City Police Department tweeted Monday morning. “Anyone who is the victim of domestic violence should contact police for help and resources.”
Gephardt Daily will have more on this developing story as information is made available.
Your article of the unfathomable murder suicide.
While My heart is heavy for the loss of Sarah Howley, and the greatest of sympathy for the Howley Family. Travis Geddes
Was a loving and Caring Boyfriend, Son, Brother, Uncle, Nephew and Cousin and friend. Our hearts goe out to the Mrs. And Mrs. Geddes and Mr. And Mrs. Geddes and extended family and friends.