Utah Murder Suspect Claims He Killed Three Women for Their Cars and Money
A 22-year-old man accused of murdering two female hikers and an 86-year-old woman in remote Utah has provided a chilling explanation for his alleged killing spree, according to court documents.
Alleged Motive Revealed in Charging Documents
Ivan Miller allegedly told authorities he slaughtered the three women in Utah's south-central desert region specifically to steal their vehicles and credit cards. The suspect claimed he needed the cash to finance his return trip to his home state of Iowa, prosecutors stated in charging documents filed this week.
The horrifying crime spree reportedly began when Miller said he struck an elk in a small Utah farming community near Capitol Reef National Park. After this incident, he was forced to sell his truck to a towing company, leaving him without transportation.
Sequence of Alleged Attacks
Following several nights in a motel, Miller allegedly broke into the home of 86-year-old Margaret Oldroyd in Lyman, Utah. Prosecutors claim he shot the elderly woman from behind as she watched television before stealing her Buick vehicle.
Court documents indicate Miller later decided he wanted a different vehicle and abandoned the Buick at a trailhead approximately ten miles from Oldroyd's residence. It was there that he allegedly encountered two female hikers—65-year-old Linda Dewey and 34-year-old Natalie Graves—as they exited their Subaru vehicle.
According to charging documents, Miller shot and stabbed both women before attempting to conceal their bodies in a dry creek bed. He then fled the scene with their Subaru, authorities allege.
Discovery and Investigation
The investigation began when the husbands of the two hikers discovered their bodies at the trailhead on Wednesday, March 4, 2026, after the women failed to return home. Authorities later found Oldroyd's body after running the license plate of the abandoned Buick discovered at the hiking trail location.
Miller was apprehended early Thursday, March 5, in neighboring Colorado following a multi-state search. At the time of his arrest, he was reportedly in possession of a handgun and a large knife.
Police Statements and Charges
After being taken into custody, Miller allegedly told police officers that he didn't want to kill the women but felt the murders "had to be done," according to law enforcement sources.
Lieutenant Cameron Roden of the Utah Department of Public Safety stated that investigators haven't identified a specific motive for the killings beyond what appears to be "convenience." The police official noted they don't believe Miller targeted the women for any particular reason other than opportunity.
The suspect now faces multiple serious charges, including aggravated murder and various other criminal counts related to the alleged crime spree. The case continues to develop as authorities gather additional evidence and prepare for legal proceedings.
