A suspect is in custody after three women were found dead at multiple crime scenes, prompting a shelter-in-place warning in southern Utah.
The bodies of the three women were found in multiple locations within Wayne County – which encompasses the popular tourist destination Torrey – on March 4, according to the Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS), which is aiding in the investigation.
In a statement posted to social media, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office confirmed “that a suspect in the Wayne County homicides was captured early this morning.”
The suspect was later identified as 22-year-old Ivan Miller of Blakesburg, Iowa, Lt. Cameron Roden of the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office said in a press conference Thursday morning.
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Authorities located Miller after using license plate readers to track him in one of the victim’s vehicles, Roden said.
The vehicle traveled through southern Utah, into northern Arizona and later into Colorado, where it was found abandoned in Pagosa Springs by local law enforcement.
Miller was subsequently taken into custody by Colorado law enforcement following a brief search. He was booked into the Archuleta County Detention Center and charged with carrying a concealed weapon, according to jail records.
Authorities were initially called to the scene by the husbands of both victims after receiving reports of two deceased females found along a hiking trail, Roden said.
A third victim was subsequently discovered inside a residence within the county.
Officials have not yet said why they believe the three homicides in separate locations are linked, but they do not believe Miller knew his alleged victims.
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Details regarding the identities of the three women have not been released, but authorities have said the women were in their 30s, 60s and 80s, according to DPS.
Authorities previously asked the public to be on the lookout for a 2022 white Subaru Outback with license plate U560YF, but cautioned against approaching the vehicle and instead urged anyone who believes they may have spotted it to call law enforcement.
Schools throughout the county also canceled classes “out of an abundance of caution” on both Thursday and Friday, according to the Wayne County School District.
Two local health clinics also closed their doors on Thursday as the manhunt remained ongoing.
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Additionally, authorities in nearby Garfield County also issued a warning to residents to lock their doors on Wednesday, but later said “there is no longer a threat in our area.”
Utah DPS and WCSO did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Anyone with information is urged to contact siac@utah.gov or call the tipline at 801-965-3838.
