Deserae Turner, young Utah girl who beat odds of death after shooting, now on hospice
Apr 8, 2025, 12:09 PM | Updated: 12:54 pm
Deserae Turner pictured in the hospital during her long road to recovery, after she was shot in the head in 2017 and left to die. (Family photo)
(Family photo)
SALT LAKE CITY — Deserae Turner was just 14 years old when she captured the hearts of her community. After she was shot in the head and left to die, she pushed through terrifying odds most people can only fathom, just to live.
On Tuesday, Deserae Turner’s family went public with a heartbreaking update: After years spent in ongoing recovery, their young warrior’s health had rapidly declined, putting her on hospice care.
Breaking: Deserae Turner’s health has suddenly taken a turn for the worst. She’s now on hospice. Visiting with her now. Hear her message tonight @KSL5TV 5 and 6. #tougherthanabullet pic.twitter.com/DTLdN590Iw
— Dan Rascon (@TVDanRascon) April 8, 2025
In February 2017, Turner was lured by a group of teen boys she knew to a secluded spot in Smithfield where then-16-year-old Colter Peterson shot her in the back of the head. The boys took her belongings and left her there.
Eight hours later, Turner was found by a family friend who was helping search for her. She was still alive, but barely.
The miraculous recovery of Deserae Turner
Turner underwent 63 days of intensive hospital treatment and made a miraculous recovery, although never completely. She would continue to suffer paralysis on the left side of her body, struggle to see and walk, and had continuous pain and at least 20 different surgeries.
But Turner maintained her new reputation — “tougher than a bullet” — in more ways than one.
She would go on to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was married in 2023. Her story of perseverance clenched the hearts of her community, and Turner was the subject of a KSL TV documentary, which heard the stories of everyone involved.
On Tuesday, Turner’s family said she now has developed septic pulmonary emboli, which is a life-threatening illness involving blood clots.
In her own words during a 2022 speech she delivered at Utah State University, Turner discussed her hardships and what pushed her through them.
“I have learned that hard times come to everyone and there are all different types of challenges in this world,” she said. “But I know and have learned that we are stronger than we look. We can withstand and carry on.”
Turner’s family set up a *fundraiser to help them with expenses in her “final days.”
Contributing: Dan Rascon, KSL TV and Ashley Fredde, KSL.com
This is a breaking news story. It will be updated.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
