Moab homicide victims told friends if something happened to them, they were murdered

MOAB, Utah — New details emerged this week in the homicide of two Moab women who were found dead in the La Sal Mountains in August, in the form of search warrant affidavits filed in the case. 

The affidavits, filed in 7th District Court, suggest a much more chilling picture of the fear the two homicide victims may have felt before they were shot to death. 

Moab homicide victims feared for their lives

Kylen Schulte, 24, and Crystal Turner, 38, disappeared after a visit to Woody’s Tavern in Moab on Friday Aug. 13. That weekend, they called friends to say they planned to move their campsite because of a “weirdo” in the area. According to the warrants, they found the man more than just weird. 

“Investigators were informed that Kylen had mentioned to her friends that if something happened to them, that they were murdered,” the warrants said. “Kylen had continued by saying there was a ‘creepy man’ around their camp, and they had been intimidated by him.” 

Coworkers and friends became alarmed on Aug. 16 when neither Schulte nor Turner appeared for their jobs in Moab. Another friend, Cindy Sue Hunter, eventually found their car and one of their bodies, alerting the Grand County Sheriff’s Office to the location on Aug. 18. 

Warrants offer new details

In the warrants, investigators provided new details about the homicide of the two women. For the first time, investigators said their bodies were found in a creek near the vehicle, undressed from the waist down. 

“Investigators located multiple gunshot wounds on both bodies. The wounds were located on the backs, sides, and/or chests of the victims,” the warrants said. 

Grand County officials told KSL.com they do not yet know whether someone sexually assaulted the two women. They await more test results from both the medical examiner and the crime lab. 

Despite statements from the sheriff’s office that there is no threat to the public, Moab residents expressed concern for their safety because of the double homicide.

Hunter told KSL NewsRadio in August she and others want further reassurance of their safety. 

“We want to know — are we safe? You don’t have a suspect. You’re not claiming it was murder-suicide. So please tell us how we are safe,” she said.

According to the search warrant affidavits, investigators impounded the women’s Kia Sorento after Hunter located it. They also impounded their camping van, which was parked at the McDonald’s where Turner worked. Police found a variety of items inside including drug paraphernalia. Police also searched a storage unit they shared with Schulte’s father, which also contained drug paraphernalia, cellphones, tablets and a small amount of drugs. 

A $20,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction for whoever murdered the women. The sheriff’s office asks anyone with information that would help investigators to call 435-259-8115.