Crime
Three women found dead in separate locations in Wayne County
Authorities Urge Residents to Stay Home and Take Extra Precautions
WAYNE COUNTY, Utah — The Utah Department of Public Safety (DPS) has launched a homicide investigation in Wayne County after three women were found dead in separate locations Wednesday, prompting a major multi-agency response and a public safety alert across the region.
According to DPS officials, the agency’s Utah State Bureau of Investigation and the Utah Department of Public Safety Crime Lab are assisting the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office with investigative support and forensic processing at multiple crime scenes in and around Torrey.
Authorities said the investigation began Wednesday afternoon when dispatchers received a call reporting two deceased women discovered along a hiking trail.
As investigators began examining the scene and expanding the search area, a third victim was later found deceased inside a residence elsewhere in Wayne County.
Officials said next-of-kin notifications are still underway, and therefore the identities of the victims are being withheld at this time.
Investigators have confirmed that the three victims are:
- Victim 1: Female in her 30s
- Victim 2: Female in her 60s
- Victim 3: Female in her 80s
All three deaths are being investigated as homicides.
Authorities are asking the public for assistance in locating a 2022 white Subaru Outback bearing Utah license plate U560YF, which investigators believe may be connected to the case. Officials are urging anyone who sees the vehicle not to approach it and instead report its location immediately.
Tips can be submitted to the Statewide Information and Analysis Center at siac@utah.gov, by phone at (801) 965-3838, or by calling 911 in the event of an emergency.
Because the suspect has not yet been located, law enforcement agencies are urging residents in Torrey and surrounding communities to remain cautious. Authorities recommend that residents lock their doors, keep exterior lights on, avoid being alone if possible, and report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office issued a countywide alert advising residents to remain vigilant while investigators work to determine what led to the killings.
Around the same time, the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office also asked the public for information about the same white Subaru Outback, noting it may be linked to the Wayne County investigation. Officials said it is still unclear whether multiple incidents reported in the region are directly connected.
Family members of one of the victims have begun speaking publicly about the tragedy. Tracy Jacobson told Channel2 NOW that one of the victims was her niece and another was the niece’s paternal aunt.
“This was my niece and her father’s sister that were murdered. I’m heartbroken,” Jacobson said.
Jacobson alleged that the suspect stole her niece’s vehicle after the shooting and may also be connected to the killing of an elderly woman earlier in Lyman.
According to Jacobson, the older woman’s vehicle was later found near the location where her niece was shot, while her niece’s white Subaru was taken by the suspect.
She further stated that the suspect may have traveled toward Beaver, where a SWAT response was reportedly underway. Authorities have not publicly confirmed those details.
In response to the unfolding situation, the Wayne County School District announced that schools will be closed Thursday and Friday “out of an abundance of caution for student and public safety.” The district said counselors will be available to assist students when classes resume.
Residents across the region have reported a heightened law enforcement presence. One resident in Torrey told local media she observed significant police activity in the area throughout Wednesday.
Neighboring jurisdictions have also issued precautionary advisories. The Garfield County Sheriff’s Office initially urged residents to remain indoors and secure their homes, though officials later said they no longer believed there was an immediate threat in that county.
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office also encouraged residents to report suspicious activity while noting there is no confirmed threat within their jurisdiction. The Emery County Sheriff’s Office and Grand County Sheriff’s Office shared the alert to increase awareness.
A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Investigation field office in Salt Lake City said the agency is aware of the situation and stands ready to assist local authorities if requested.
Officials emphasize that the investigation remains active and developing. Additional information will be released as it becomes available.
AUSTIN, Texas — Authorities have identified the three victims killed in Sunday morning’s mass shooting outside Buford’s Bar on West Sixth Street in downtown Austin. The attack left three civilians dead and more than a dozen others injured before the gunman was fatally shot by police.
The victims have been identified as Savitha Shan, 21; Ryder Harrington, 19; and Jorge Pederson, 30.
According to the Austin Police Department, the suspect, 53-year-old Ndiaga Diagne, opened fire from his vehicle before exiting and continuing to shoot into a crowd in the busy entertainment district near the University of Texas campus.
Officers who were already stationed nearby responded within seconds and fatally shot the suspect. Officials stated that the rapid response likely prevented additional casualties.
Four people are now confirmed dead, including the shooter. At least 14 others were transported to area hospitals, with several initially listed in critical condition.
Victims Remembered
Savitha Shan, 21, was a student at the University of Texas at Austin, where she was known for her leadership and campus involvement. The university referred to her by her full name, Savitha Shanmugasundaram.
UT President Jim Davis addressed the campus community, stating:
“Today, it was confirmed that among those who lost their lives is one UT student. A child of loving parents. A loyal friend to many. A Longhorn preparing to change the world. It is devastating, and I know all of us are grieved by this horrible news and we will remember her.”
Shan was active in Austin’s Tamil Sangam community and participated in Raas Roedo, which organizes traditional Gujarati folk dance events. She also founded an e-commerce venture known as Sunflakestickers.
Ryder Harrington, 19, had previously attended Texas Tech University and was a member of its Beta Theta Pi chapter. Loved ones described him as “a beloved son, brother, and friend whose kindness and presence touched countless lives.”
A GoFundMe campaign has been established to assist his family with funeral and related expenses as they navigate what relatives describe as an unimaginable loss.
Jorge Pederson, 30, was identified as the third victim to succumb to his injuries. Authorities confirmed he had initially been listed in critical condition at a local hospital following the shooting. Pederson was described by Med City Fighting Championships as a “beloved Minnesotan fighter.”
Austin Mayor Kirk Watson urged the community to support one another during the period of mourning, stating:
“Continue to lift them and their families up. And Austin, keep reaching out to each other. Take care of each other. What we do for each other matters, especially in this time of mourning and grief.”
Ongoing Federal Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and its Joint Terrorism Task Force have joined the investigation. Officials confirmed the incident is being reviewed as a possible act of terrorism, though no final determination regarding motive has been formally announced.
Investigators reported that the suspect was wearing clothing bearing the phrase “Property of Allah” at the time of the attack. A Quran was recovered from his vehicle, and additional reports indicate he was wearing an undershirt displaying imagery associated with the Iranian flag. Authorities are examining whether ideological motivations or international developments may have influenced the attack.
Newly released video footage shows the moment the gunman began firing into the crowd, underscoring the speed and severity of the incident.
The investigation remains ongoing as officials continue reviewing surveillance footage, digital evidence, and witness accounts. City leaders have pledged to provide additional updates as confirmed information becomes available.
The Austin community continues to grieve the lives lost and support those injured in what has become one of the city’s most devastating acts of violence in recent years.