Utah killings: A dead woman’s key fob and two grisly crime scenes. How the Utah triple-murder suspect was tracked across state lines

Investigators tracked a suspect in a triple homicide across multiple states using automated license plate readers and a victim’s vehicle key fob, culminating in the arrest of a 22-year-old Iowa resident with no apparent connection to the victims or the rural Utah region where the killings occurred.

Suspect Apprehended

Ivan Miller, 22, of Blakesburg, Iowa, was taken into custody in Colorado and charged with three counts of first-degree, aggravated murder, officials said. His first court appearance is scheduled for Friday afternoon in Archuleta County, Colorado, where he will be represented by a public defender.

Victims Identified

The victims have been identified as Margaret Oldroyd, 86; Linda Dewey, 65; and Natalie Graves, 34, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety. Dewey and Graves, an aunt and niece, were found dead near a trailhead outside Torrey, Utah, after their husbands reported them missing following a hike.

Investigators then discovered Oldroyd’s vehicle at the trailhead and found her body at her home in nearby Lyman.

Details of the Crimes

According to an indictment, Miller told investigators he spent a night in Oldroyd’s shed and entered her home while she was out, shooting her in the back of the head while she watched television. He allegedly cleaned the scene and moved her body to a cellar before stealing her Buick Regal.

At the trailhead, Miller admitted to shooting Dewey and Graves as they exited a white Subaru, and stabbing one of the women multiple times when she continued to move. He then dragged their bodies into a ditch, according to the indictment.

Miller admitted to stealing the women’s credit cards and using one for gas. He told investigators he “did not like the car” he initially stole and sought a different vehicle.

Investigation and Arrest

Investigators used license plate scanners to track the Subaru through Utah, Arizona, and into Colorado. The vehicle was found abandoned in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, leading to Miller’s arrest. He was found to be in possession of a handgun and a large knife.

One of the husbands was able to track the car’s location using an app that monitored the vehicle’s key fob, which placed the vehicle in Farmington, New Mexico, Wednesday evening.

Community Response

Residents across Wayne County have placed pink ribbons around trees and fences in remembrance of the three women. The Wayne County School District will be closed for the remainder of the week, with counselors available to support students upon their return. Torrey Mayor Mickey Wright described the events as a “heartbreaking moment” for the community, emphasizing the strength and solidarity of its residents.

Miller told officials he had been staying at a hotel in the area after crashing his truck into an elk, which he then sold to a tow truck company.