Midvale community reeling after suspected murder-suicide

SALT LAKE CITY — A quiet neighborhood was grappling with shock and sorrow Tuesday after police discovered two people dead inside a Midvale home in what investigators are calling a suspected murder-suicide.

On Wednesday, the Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake identified the two dead as Eillleen Lyon, 65, and Terry Lyon, 63.

“We extend our deepest condolences to their family and friends,” the department said in a release. “Further information will be released as it becomes available.”

Aymee Race with UPD said the officers were performing a welfare check at around 11:13 a.m. when they discovered the bodies. They were discovered in a home near 7500 South Jefferson.

The welfare check

The Unified Police Department released a statement Wednesday saying that the welfare check was initiated after “an employer reported being unable to contact an employee who had not been reporting to work.”

“The home appeared undisturbed, with doors locked and windows closed. Repeated phone calls to the residence went unanswered,” UPD said.

Eventually, officers got a key to the home after talking to neighbors, friends and coworkers.

Upon entering, officers found Eillleen and Terry Lyon dead from gunshot wounds, the department said. Preliminary investigation suggests Eillleen Lyon was shot, and UPD called Terry Lyon a suspect. He appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the department said.

Rayce said the UPD Violent Crimes Unit is investigating the incident as a “suspected” murder suicide.

Neighbors react

Neighbors said the man and woman were a well-known and well-loved married couple within the community. Megan, who lives next door, described them as “like family” since moving in a year and a half ago.

“I spent the wife’s birthday at the Fourth of July party last summer,” Megan recalled. “They crashed my 28th birthday party and just, like, hung out, and I got to know them at the barbeques.”

She said the husband was especially attentive and caring.

“I find it so hard to believe when he adored his wife so much,” she said. “He would do anything for her.”

Megan said the man often looked out for her and even played with her dog in the yard.

“I keep thinking I’m going to come out and see them in the yard and he’s going to play with my dog,” she said, her voice trembling.

Another neighbor, Maddison, who works from home, didn’t know the couple personally, but sensed something was wrong when police knocked on her door.

“They asked us if we had heard any gunshots or fireworks,” she said. “Then they told us, ‘We can’t say much, but there are two deceased people inside and we’re investigating as a homicide.’”

Maddison said the street was swarming with police and investigators.

“For something so tragic to happen so close to us — you hear about it, but you never think it’s going to happen to you. So it feels very strange,” she said.

Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. As of Tuesday night, no further details have been released.

The community remains stunned, with neighbors mourning the loss of two familiar faces.

“He adored his wife,” Megan said again, softly. “He would do anything for his wife.”

---

This story is breaking and may be updated.

Contributing: Jacob Freeman

---

Suicide prevention resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 which is answered 24/7/365 by crisis counselors at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. All calls to legacy crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, will also connect to a crisis care worker at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute as well.

Additional resources

• SafeUT: Parents, students, and educators can connect with a licensed crisis counselor through chat by downloading the SafeUT app or by calling 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388)
• SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and healthcare professionals can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUT Frontline app.
• SafeUTNG: Members of the National Guard can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUTNG app.
• Utah Warm Line: For non-crisis situations, when you need a listening ear as you heal and recover from a personal struggle, call 1-833 SPEAKUT 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• The Huntsman Mental Health Institute offers a wide variety of programs and services including suicide prevention and crisis services, hospital treatment, therapy & medication management, substance Use & addiction recovery, child & teen programs, and maternal mental health services including birth trauma, pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
• LiveOnUtah.org is a statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing Utah’s culture around suicide and mental health. They offer resources for faith based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, and crisis and treatment options.

Counties in Utah provide services for mental health and substance use disorders. Centers are run by the thirteen Local Mental Health and Substance Use Authorities all across the state and offer therapy, substance use disorder treatment, support groups, mobile services, youth treatment, and more.

These resources and more information can be found here: https://www.uacnet.org/behavioralhealth.

Other community-based resources

• NAMI Utah provides education, support and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by mental illness.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers prevention programs, public education, support for loss survivors, and fundraising for research.
• Encircle Utah: LGBTQ+ family and youth resource center.
• Utah Pride Center empowers Utah’s diverse LGBTQ+ community.
• The Trevor Project: LGBTQ teen resource center.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health
• Latino Behavioral Health Services
• Center for Workplace Mental Health offers suicide prevention and response for employers.