A man facing accusations for the murders of two female hikers and an 86-year- old woman in a remote area of Utah has reportedly provided his reasoning for the series of killings. According to charging documents, Ivan Miller, aged 22, allegedly confessed that he committed the homicides primarily to acquire the victims' cars and credit cards, as he needed money to travel back to his home in Iowa.
Law enforcement apprehended the suspect early Thursday, March 5, in Colorado. He was found in possession of a handgun and a large knife. Reports indicate that shortly after his arrest, Miller told authorities that while he did not initially intend to kill the women, the acts "had to be done."
The sequence of events leading to the alleged murders reportedly began earlier in the week. Miller stated that he encountered an elk on the road in a small farming community in Utah, near Capitol Reef National Park. This incident allegedly necessitated the sale of his truck to a towing service.
After spending several nights at a motel, authorities claim Miller unlawfully entered the residence of 86-year-old Margaret Oldroyd in Lyman. While she was reportedly watching television, he shot her from behind, according to prosecutorial allegations.
He subsequently took her Buick. However, court documents suggest Miller later decided he desired a different vehicle.
Miller is accused of abandoning the Buick at a trailhead approximately 10 miles from the first victim's residence. It was there he allegedly encountered two female hikers, identified as Linda Dewey, 65, and Natalie Graves, 34, as they were exiting a Subaru.
He is charged with shooting and stabbing both women before attempting to conceal their bodies in a dry creek bed. He then allegedly fled with their car, the charging documents detail.
Law enforcement began their investigation into the incident after the husbands of the two hikers discovered their bodies at the trailhead. The women had failed to return home on Wednesday, March 4, 2026.
Investigators later located the body of the first victim after running the license plate of the abandoned Buick.
A multi-state search operation eventually led to Miller's capture in neighboring Colorado.
Authorities have not yet established a definitive motive for the killings, but Lieutenant Cameron Roden of the Utah Department of Public Safety indicated that they do not believe the women were targeted for any specific reason beyond "convenience."
Miller faces charges including aggravated murder and numerous other offenses.
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to comment.
Be the first to comment on this article!