Police in Utah say five family members died and a sixth suffered a serious injury in the family’s home in West Valley City on December 17, 2024. Police have released few details about the crime but confirmed there does not appear to be a killer on the loose. The victims included a 42-year-old man, a 38-year-old woman, an 11-year-old boy, a 9-year-old girl, and a 2-year-old girl. Emergency responders took a 17-year-old boy to an area hospital for a gunshot wound.
West Valley City Police Department representative Roxeanne Vainuku shared during a news conference that a family member went to check on the unidentified Utah family and found the horrific scene. Authorities are working to piece together exactly what happened.
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A loved one reportedly tried to get in touch with the adult female.
According to Vainuku, a relative became concerned after not hearing from the 38-year-old woman who lived in the home. After arriving at the Utah family’s home, the family member reportedly entered the house through the garage and found the 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound. The relative called police for help, and the investigation began.
It is unclear how the victims died.
Vainuku declined to name a cause of death, but she did confirm it was an isolated incident, saying, “We do not believe there’s a suspect on the loose.”
Vainuku said of the teenage survivor, “I know he suffered a pretty significant injury.” She continued, “and so I know he’s in a condition where we’ve not really been able to communicate with him.”
It is unclear what role the teenager played in the situation.
Vainuku added that emergency crews took the teen for treatment at a hospital. His condition remains unclear. She also did not confirm or deny his involvement at the scene.
“We do not know at this point if he is a suspect in this case or if he is a victim in this case,” she said.
Police reportedly went to the home on December 16.
According to NBC News, police first visited the home for a welfare check on December 16 after the same family member who found the victims on Tuesday called with concerns.
They indicated that the woman inside the home had been uncharacteristically out of touch for a few days. At the time, police reportedly didn’t find anything suspicious and did not enter the home.
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The incident remains under investigation.
“We have obtained a search warrant for the home and investigators have entered and began their investigation. Officers also have canvassed the neighborhood gathering information and any video evidence. At this time, we believe this incident is isolated to this home,” a statement on X from @WVCPD reads.
Vainuku said a search warrant will allow more investigation to be done. “Once that happens, then our detectives will be able to get back inside the house, start really looking around and start gathering some evidence… and help tell us more about exactly what happened.”
