WVCPD: 5 found dead in West Valley City home likely victims of murder-suicide; father apparent gunman, 17-year-old son fights for life

File Photo: Gephardt Daily/Monico Garza/SLCScanner

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah, Dec. 18, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — Police say five family members found dead inside a West Valley City home Tuesday were victims of an apparent murder-suicide, and the father was the likely gunman.

A 17-year-old son who was found gravely wounded inside the home’s garage is also believed to have been shot by the father.

Investigators are basing their preliminary finding on the discovery of a small handgun which was found beneath the father.

“We believe this was the weapon used in the shootings, however, ballistic and forensic analysis will determine that definitively,” said Roxeanne Vainuku, spokeswoman for West Valley City.

“That is our initial determination, that the father likely shot all of the members of the family and then himself. However, we do need to wait for confirmation from ballistics evidence and also from forensics evidence to be able to determine that definitively.”

The sole survivor of the incident, the family’s 17-year-old son, has a severe brain injury from being shot in the head, Vainuku told reporters, and he cannot communicate.

Vainuku said the 38-year-old mother of the family was found deceased in an upstairs bedroom with the two daughters, ages 2 and 9. The father, age 45, was found downstairs, in the living room with the family’s younger son, age 11. Both were dead.

Vainuku said it is believed the family’s older son was able to get to the garage from the original shooting location.

“We do not believe he was shot in the garage.”

Names of the deceased family members will not be released until family members can be notified.

“It is our process to make proper notification to next of kin before we release the names of victims.”

The shooting is believed to have taken place later Friday night or in the early hours of Saturday morning, Vainuku said.

A member of the extended family first contacted police, requesting assistance on a welfare check. Vainuku said no one answered the door, and officers found no visible evidence of foul play, and neighbors did not report hearing anything unusual.

When the same extended family member, used to being in close contact with the family’s mother, went back to the house after the woman did not show up for work, she was able to enter through the garage door of the residence, and she found the family’s 17-year-old son, with critical injuries, in the garage.

Police responded and found the five bodies, Vainuku said Tuesday evening at a news conference. After they obtained a search warrant, a more extensive investigation started inside the residence.

Vainuku said autopsies will be conducted to confirm the family members’ cause of death, and investigators are hoping additional information can be gleaned from the close examinations.

The family has no history of police responses to the residence, Vainuku said, adding that the only contact with police seems to have been reporting a loud party down the street at one point.

“There’s no history of domestic violence. There was no sort of a note, and we really have no motive.”

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, including prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones. To speak with a trained listener, call 988.

The Crisis TEXT Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. To contact a trained listener, text HELLO to 741741. It is also free, available 24/7, and confidential.

Talking with someone about your thoughts and feelings can save your life.

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