2 women were ‘bonding over the beauty of a hike’ when they were killed in Utah, family says
2 Women ‘Bonding Over the Beauty of a Hike’ Killed in Utah, Family Says
Friday, the family of Linda Dewey, 65, and Natalie Graves, 34, shared their grief over the tragic deaths of the women, who were found slain on a Utah trail earlier this week. The family spokesperson described the women as victims of a “stranger’s violent act” driven by a desire for financial gain, according to authorities. The two were reportedly “bonding over the beauty of a hike” in one of their favorite places on Earth—a sanctuary they cherished and considered safe.
“We cannot comprehend why this happened,” the family spokesperson said. “They were murdered, and we’re at a loss for words to express our sadness and devastation at this time.”
Authorities have charged Ivan Miller, 22, with aggravated murder in the deaths of Dewey and Graves, as well as Margaret Oldroyd, 86, whose body was also discovered in South Central Utah. Oldroyd’s relatives were unavailable for comment on Friday. The bodies of the three women were found at separate locations in the region, with charging documents filed Thursday citing Miller’s alleged confession.
According to the documents, Miller admitted to killing the women after hitting an elk in Loa, Utah, and selling his truck to a local tow company. He reportedly stayed at a hotel for several days before taking Oldroyd’s Buick. However, he later abandoned the car and switched to a Subaru, which belonged to either Dewey or Graves, according to the statement. The sequence of events began when Miller shot Oldroyd in the head as she watched TV at home in Lyman. He then drove to a nearby trail, where he encountered Dewey and Graves and fatally shot them.
Miller claimed he stabbed Dewey when she continued to move, according to the documents. The husbands of Dewey and Graves discovered their bodies near a trailhead and contacted law enforcement. The suspect was arrested in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, hundreds of miles east, after authorities traced a stolen key fob. A public defender representing Miller stated during a court hearing that his client avoids speaking to police or media.
In the family statement, Dewey was portrayed as a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and sister with a global extended family. “She was the heart of our family,” the statement emphasized. Graves, described as a devoted wife, daughter, and sister, was “joy, sunshine, and beauty embodied,” adored by her many friends and relatives. The family requested time to grieve, reunite, and share their sorrow with loved ones, noting their current inability to publicly express their anguish.
Tim Stelloh is a breaking news reporter for NBC News Digital. Insiya Gandhi is an NBC News researcher.
