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Authorities in Utah have apprehended a suspect in connection with the tragic deaths of three women, marking a significant development in the investigation.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest on March 5 via Facebook, stating, “We have received confirmation that a suspect in the Wayne County homicides was captured early this morning. The suspect is in law enforcement custody. We greatly appreciate all our law enforcement and investigation partners, and all of our citizens who provided tips and assisted in the process.”
The suspect was discovered in one of the victim’s vehicles, according to a press release from the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) shared with Oxygen. The release detailed that the car was followed through southern Utah, northern Arizona, and into Colorado. It was found abandoned in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, where law enforcement swiftly located and detained the suspect without incident. Authorities assured the public that there are no remaining threats and that no other suspects are being sought.
The arrest followed a public advisory issued earlier, urging residents to remain vigilant and indoors after the discovery of the three victims on March 4. Two of the women were found on a hiking trail, while the third was located in a nearby residence. The investigation continues as the community seeks answers to this tragic event.
Earlier that day, authorities had ordered residents to stay at home and watch their surroundings after three women were found dead—two on a hiking trail and one in a residence—on March 4.
Although police will not release the identities of the victims until their next of kin is notified, one is in her 30s, another in their 60s and the third in their 80s.
“Take extra precautions,” read an earlier Facebook post from the Wayne County, Utah Sheriff’s Office. “Keep lights on, keep doors locked, remain home or with others this evening if possible.”
Police had focused their efforts on the small town of Torrey—close to the entrance of Capital Reef National Park—and its surrounding areas, as they searched for a 2022 white Subaru Outback with the license plate U560YF.
The Wayne County School District, home to four schools (two elementary, one middle and one high school) announced closures on March 5 and March 6, “out of an abundance of caution.”
Wayne County, according to the U.S. Census, is a rural home to less than 3,000 people, covering the southwestern part of Utah. Located in the Colorado Plateau, the desert environment is dotted with rock formations, cliffs and canyons.