Man arrested in West Valley after allegedly killing elderly father

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — An incident in West Valley City led to the arrest of Jeremy Pulver, who stands accused of killing his father, John Pulver, according to a probable cause statement from West Valley Police Department officer Adam Rose.

On April 26, 2024, Valley Emergency Communications Center received a call from a witness who reported witnessing Jeremy assaulting his father at John’s residence. The witness, whose identity remains undisclosed, said Jeremy had confessed to the act before leaving.

Officers arrived to find John Pulver deceased and showing signs of severe head trauma that matched the witness’s account. Jeremy Pulver was then found, apprehended, and transported to the West Valley City Police Department for questioning.

According to the probable cause statement, Jeremy confessed to the details of the crime during the interrogation. He told police that his father had expressed a desire to die due to his old age. Jeremy told police that his father wanted him to carry out the deed. Admitted to a similar wish, Jeremy said he “worked up the confidence” to kill his father.

Jeremy recounted failed attempts to suffocate his father with a rag and a plastic bag. However, his father “fought back harder than Jeremy ever would’ve expected.” Jeremy told authorities he felt like John would have killed him in defense if he didn’t “end it soon.” He told police that he had grabbed a hatchet purchased from a local hardware store and “struck John in the head 4-6 times until John stopped fighting.” Jeremy told police that he used baking soda in John’s mouth. Because he had learned that it was a “good method to ensure someone was dead,”.

Police have booked Jeremy Pulver at Salt Lake County Jail. 

Related:

• One teen critically injured following West Valley shooting
• Taylorsville man believed to have been abducted found dead, two teens arrested