by Megan Brugger & Jared Turner & Derick Fox, KUTV
Wed, March 4, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Updated Thu, March 5, 2026 at 9:25 AM
FILE - Wayne County Sheriff's Office patrol vehicle shows on July 26, 2023. (Photo: Wayne County Sheriff's Office)
TORREY, Utah (KUTV) — The suspect in a triple homicide was taken into custody early Thursday morning after law enforcement tracked him into Colorado.
Officials said the suspect, who has not yet been identified, was tracked through southern Utah, into northern Arizona and into Colorado.
Colorado law enforcement apprehended the suspect after a brief search in Pagosa Springs.
"There are no ongoing threats to the public, and investigators have no outstanding suspects," the Utah Department of Public Safety said in a statement.
The investigation started after three women were found dead in what investigators called "a homicide with multiple crime scenes" in Wayne County.
Emergency dispatchers got a call on Wednesday afternoon about two women found dead on a hiking trail in the county. In the course of the investigation, a third woman was found dead inside a home.
Details about the identities of the women were not released, but officials said one woman was in her 30s, another in her 60s, and one in her 80s. Officials did not say what led them to find the third woman, or if there was any relationship between all three.
Residents were asked to stay inside, lock their doors and keep lights on while they searched for a suspect.
No information was released about the suspect, but during the search, officials asked for help from the public in locating a 2022 white Subaru Outback with Utah license plate number U56 0YF.
The car, which reportedly belonged to one of the victims, was found abandoned in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, which helped lead investigators to the safe arrest of the suspect.
Out of an abundance and caution and concern for student and public safety, the Wayne County School District announced it had cancelled schools for the rest of the week.
Counsellors will be in place at schools throughout the district to support students when they are back in session next week.
Several agencies - including the FBI, the Bureau of Land Management, and the Sheriff's Offices from Archuleta, Sevier and Kane counties - all provided support and assistance in the investigation.
"Furthermore, we recognize the vigilance of all surrounding law enforcement agencies whose proactive communication and coordination were instrumental in locating the suspect and securing the region," Utah DPS said.
