2 women were ‘bonding over the beauty of a hike’ when they were killed in Utah, family says
2 Women Were ‘Bonding Over the Beauty of a Hike’ When They Were Killed in Utah, Family Says
Friday, the relatives of Linda Dewey, 65, and Natalie Graves, 34, shared their grief over the tragic deaths of the two women discovered on a Utah trail earlier in the week. The family spokesperson described the women as victims of a “stranger’s violent act” driven by a quest for financial gain. “They were enjoying the serene beauty of one of their favorite spots, a place they and the local community cherished as a safe haven,” the statement explained. “Yet, they were taken from us in a brutal manner.”
Accusations Against the Suspect
Authorities have formally accused Ivan Miller, 22, of aggravated murder in the deaths of Dewey and Graves, which occurred on Wednesday. The same charge was levied in the fatal shooting of Margaret Oldroyd, 86, a woman unrelated to the victims. Oldroyd’s family was unavailable for comment on Friday. The bodies of the three women were found at separate locations in South Central Utah, according to official reports.
“He did it because he needed money,” Miller allegedly told investigators after hitting an elk in Loa, Utah, and selling his truck to a local tow company. “He stayed at a hotel for a few days before heading to the trail.”
According to the charging documents, Miller confessed to the killings. He claimed to have shot Oldroyd in the head as she sat watching TV at her home in Lyman, then took her Buick. However, he later realized he disliked the car and proceeded to a nearby trail where he encountered Dewey and Graves. The documents allege he shot both women, stabbing Dewey when she continued to move. He then abandoned the Buick and claimed the Subaru, which belonged to either Dewey or Graves.
The husbands of Dewey and Graves discovered their bodies near a trailhead and alerted authorities, per the Utah Department of Public Safety. Miller was apprehended in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, after a stolen key fob was traced. His public defender, Scott Van Zandt, stated during a court hearing that Miller has declined to speak with police or media. A representative for the Colorado State Public Defender did not respond to NBC News’ inquiry that evening.
Family Remembers the Victims
The family statement painted Dewey as a cherished figure, describing her as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister with a global network of relatives. “She was the heart of our family,” it noted, adding, “She was loved deeply and cherished her loved ones.” Graves, referred to as a wife, daughter, and sister, was described as “a source of joy, light, and beauty for her many friends and extended family.”
“We need time to grieve, connect with each other, and be close to our family and friends,” the statement continued. “We are overwhelmed by sorrow and cannot yet express our anguish publicly.”
