Aunt, niece hiking ‘in one of their favorite places’ ID’d as two of 3 women killed by nutjob in Utah
An aunt and her niece were hiking one of their favorite trails when a psycho viciously murdered them during a random killing spree in Utah this week, their devastated families said.
Linda Dewey, 65, and Natalie Graves, 34, were at the Cockscomb Trailhead in Kane County – a spot they considered a “safe sanctuary” – on Wednesday when Ivan Miller allegedly stabbed and shot them before attempting to ditch their bodies in a dry creek bed, KSL reported.
“Our family is dealing with the shock and the devastating loss of two members of our family who were bonding over the beauty of a hike in one of their favorite places on Earth – cherished by them and the community, considered to be a safe sanctuary,” their grief-stricken loved ones said in a statement Friday.
“They were murdered. We cannot comprehend why this happened.”
The two victims were found at the trailhead by their husbands after they failed to return home, police said.
Dewey was hailed as a devoted wife, mother, granddaughter, and sister who “loved deeply” and was the “heart” of her family, while Graves was celebrated as a wife, daughter, and sister who radiated “joy, sunshine and beauty.”
“We need time to mourn, love each other and be with our family and friends,” their family added.
“We are at a loss for words that can describe what we are feeling and cannot publicly express our sadness and devastation at this time.”
They noted they plan to honor the two slain women at their beloved trailhead with photos.
Miller allegedly started his terrifying spree by sneaking into 86-year-old Margaret Oldroyd’s Lyman home and shooting her from behind as she watched TV.
He then stole her Buick and went on to kill the two hikers, according to court documents.
He took off in their car and was arrested Thursday in Colorado after a multi-state manhunt.
The suspect, who was nabbed with a handgun and a large knife, allegedly told cops soon after he was cuffed that he didn’t want to kill the three women — but the murders “had to be done.”
Miller has been hit with aggravated murder and a slew of other charges.
