Tragic Incident Unfolds
Authorities are investigating the deaths of two women found on a trail just west of Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, on March 5, 2026. The victims have been identified as Natalie Graves, 34, and Linda Dewey, 65. Their bodies were discovered by their husbands, who reported that the women had been shot and stabbed.
A third victim, Margaret Oldroyd, 86, was later found dead in her home, with her body located in a cellar under a shed on her property. The investigation has led to the arrest of Ivan Miller, 22, who faces three counts of aggravated murder.
Details of the Investigation
Miller was apprehended in Colorado, where he was found in possession of a large knife and a .45 caliber pistol. According to investigators, Miller allegedly killed the women to steal their cars and credit cards, as he needed money to return to Iowa after previously hitting an elk and being left without a vehicle.
The incident has prompted a multi-state search and has raised concerns about safety in the area. Investigators are still looking into the timeline of Miller’s arrival in Utah and his activities leading up to the killings. Officials have stated that the hikers had no connection to Oldroyd.
As the investigation continues, local authorities are processing multiple scenes in Torrey, Utah, to gather more evidence. The shocking nature of the crime has left the community in disbelief, with many expressing their condolences to the families of the victims.
“Authorities conduct an investigation Thursday, March 5, 2026, into the deaths of two women a day earlier on a trail just west of Capitol Reef National Park near Teasdale, Utah,” a spokesperson for the local sheriff’s department stated.
Details remain unconfirmed as the investigation unfolds, but the tragic loss of life has raised significant concerns about safety in the popular hiking area.
