Police now have persons of interest in Moab double murder case

MOAB, Utah — The Grand County Sheriff’s Office says they have several persons of interest in the Moab double murder of Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner.  However, they say online speculation is hindering their investigation. And they’re asking the people of Moab to be more careful about what they post on social media.

While there may be persons of interest, officials from the Grand County Sheriff’s Office say they haven’t narrowed their focus to one specific suspect.  They posted a statement to their Facebook page saying they’re still getting help from the FBI to analyze forensic evidence, videos and behavior analysis.

The statement reads, “GCSO continues to examine and analyze evidence by utilizing third-party and FBI crime labs.”

Few leads in Moab double murder

However, there have been few solid leads since the murders last August.  The women were found dead near a campsite in the La Sal Mountains and both had been shot multiple times.  Investigators now tell us both were shot and killed four days before they were found.

Investigators say there has been a lot of speculation and conjecture about who may have been involved in their deaths.  However, they say this online conjecture could be more of a hindrance than a help.

“Such information tends to be misinformed, inaccurate and unhelpful to the criminal investigation, if not dangerous,” the statement reads.

Schulte’s father, Sean-Paul Schulte, says he doesn’t see how some of these online conversations would get in the way of investigators.  He says they’re trying to drum up any memories or thoughts people may have about what led to the double murder.

Schulte said, “We’re still trying to take in clues, so I don’t want to close down my ‘Remembering Kylen and Crystal’ page.”

Investigators have ruled out Petito and Laundrie

However, investigators say many people are still spreading the rumors that Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito may have been involved, somehow.  Police say FBI agents and investigators from Florida have looked through their electronic data. They have determined the couple was not involved in the deaths of Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner.

Schulte says he’s seeing a lot of people speculating about who may have killed his daughter and her wife.

“[I’m seeing] tons and tons of it, maybe not to the level of Brian and Gabby, but lots and lots of speculation by web sleuths,” he said.

Schulte agrees, conversations about Petito and Laundrie being involved in the killings should stop.

“They have told us that Brian and Gabby were not involved in our case.  We have no reason to dispute that. Other than the fact that I see a picture of him still in that area,” he said.  “There is no point in continuing to waste time, energy, effort, news and press over Brian and Gabby.”

Schulte also says people should stop speculating about an escaped mental hospital patient named John Freeman Colt being the killer.  Colt went to prison for aggravated sexual assault and attempted rape. However, he escaped from a facility in Kansas only to be found in southern Utah.

Read more:

• Moab Police get digital evidence possibly connected to double murder
• Investigators ask for public help in solving Moab double murder