A chilling series of killings in rural Utah has left communities stunned after investigators say a 22-year-old man admitted he murdered three women simply to steal their vehicles and continue traveling across the country.
Authorities have charged Ivan W. Miller of Iowa with three counts of aggravated murder following the deaths of three women in Wayne County, Utah. According to court documents, Miller allegedly told investigators the killings “had to be done” so he could take their cars and make his way back to Iowa.
The victims’ identities have not yet been publicly released, but investigators said the women ranged widely in age. Two victims — one in her 30s and another in her 60s — were hiking together along the Cockscomb Trail between Torrey and Teasdale when they were attacked. The third victim, an 80-year-old woman, was found dead inside her home in the nearby town of Lyman.
Investigators say Miller first encountered the elderly woman after staying nearby for a short period of time. According to police reports, he told investigators he had been sleeping in a shed behind her home and watching her routine. When she returned home, authorities say he allegedly hid behind a door and shot her.
After the killing, Miller reportedly took the woman’s car but later decided he wanted a different vehicle. Prosecutors say he then drove to a nearby trailhead, where he saw two women arriving for a hike.
According to the charging documents, Miller approached them and shot the younger woman first. When the second woman was still moving after being shot, investigators say he stabbed her multiple times. Authorities allege he then dragged the victims into a nearby ditch.
Police say Miller took credit cards from the victims and used one of them to purchase gas while continuing his journey.
The violent spree only came to light after the two hikers failed to return home. Their husbands reportedly went searching for them along the trail and discovered their bodies, prompting a call to authorities.
During the investigation, officers noticed a stolen vehicle connected to the case parked nearby, which led them to the third victim’s residence in Lyman where her body was found.
From there, investigators launched a multi-state search. Using license plate reader technology and tracking systems, authorities followed the stolen Subaru through Utah and into neighboring states. The vehicle was eventually located in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Police there found the car abandoned and quickly located Miller nearby. Officers said he was carrying a concealed handgun and a large knife at the time of his arrest.
Authorities later discovered bank cards belonging to all three victims in his wallet, further linking him to the crimes.
Miller is currently being held in Colorado while awaiting extradition to Utah. Officials say the case has shocked residents in the quiet region, where violent crime is rare.
As the legal process moves forward, investigators continue working to piece together the timeline of the attacks and prepare the case against the suspect accused of carrying out the devastating crimes.
