Major twist as cops make arrest in murder of man, 77, found lying dead in Utah canyon
Police have charged the son of a 77-year-old man found lying dead in a Utah canyon with murder - alleging the offspring was upset after the dad tried to have him evicted.
Police have charged the son of a 77-year-old man found lying dead in a Utah canyon with murder - alleging the offspring was upset after the dad tried to have him evicted.
On Friday, the body of Dennis Shaw was discovered near the Franklin Snow Basin parking lot in Logan Canyon. He had been stabbed multiple times.
The next morning, Clayton Shaw, Denniss 33-year-old son, was booked into the Cache County jail on charges of homicide possibly tied to
According to GephardtDaily, when Dennis Shaw was found, he had various stab wounds to the chest from a small bladed object.
The son of a Utah man, 77, whose dead body was found in a canyon has been charged with murder
On Friday, the body of Dennis Shaw was discovered near the Franklin Snow Basin parking lot in Logan Canyon
Investigators with the Cache County Sheriffs Office said that the senior citizen victim appeared to have been dragged to the desolate spot.
They believe that Shaw was likely murdered at a different location before being taken to the parking lot, which was 25 miles from his home.
According to local authorities, Clayton and his father had been engaged in a bitter feud before the incident.
In July, Clayton was served an eviction notice from a property that his father - or his fathers trust - owned.
On July 17, Dennis Shaw called the police to report that his son had appeared at his home in some kind of mental crisis, according to 2KUTV.
Clayton Shaw, Denniss 33-year-old son, was booked into the Cache County jail on charges of homicide
Dennis informed authorities that Clayton took away his phone and threatened him, saying that he was trying to find a way to kill you.
Only a week later, the 77-year-old made an official report with the Logan police in which he stated that he was a victim of domestic violence at the hands of his son, KSL reported.
These incidents were part of a larger pattern of erratic behavior. Clayton, who suffers from paranoia and carried a gun, contacted police in September about human remains and dried up skin on his property.
When authorities arrived to investigate, they discovered that he was looking at tree bark.
That same month, a female roommate of Claytons contacted the police to report that she was afraid of him and that she wanted to know her options.
An employee at Dennis Shaws business informed the police that he had been unable to contact his boss since around 4 pm on Thursday, which was unusual because Dennis was never without his phone.
Investigators with the Cache County Sheriffs Office said that the 77-year-old appeared to have been dragged to the desolate spot
The employee said that Claytons mental health had been deteriorating for some time, causing Dennis and the rest of the company concern.
He told deputies that Clayton had previously built a hatchet with which he threated to kill his father.
After Denniss body was found, investigators were posted to his house, where they observed Clayton walk up to the door, knock, and then drive away.
Authorities then decided to conduct a high-risk traffic stop and examined Claytons car.
During their search, they found a blade that was consistent with the injuries that Dennis had sustained.
They believe that Shaw was likely murdered at a different location before being taken to the parking lot, which was 25 miles from his home
They also discovered drops of human blood in the trunk and a bloody fingerprint near the bumper of the car.
In the backseat, investigators found an empty bottle of Lysol hydrogen peroxide cleaner.
Denniss dog was also discovered to be in Claytons possession.
Investigators decided to interview Clayton, who told them that he was supposed to meet with his father about some money, but Dennis had instead just dropped of his dog and left.
Detectives are asking the public who may have any information concerning this case or the victim and suspect, as well as Claytons black BMW and the victims white Ford F-150 truck, to contact detectives, the Cache County Sheriffs Office said in a statement
When the detectives told him that his father was dead, he did not ask them to provide further details, according to KSL.
Later in the interview, Clayton denied that he had stabbed his father. Authorities said there was sufficient evidence to charge him with murder.
In a statement, the Cache County Sheriffs Office said: This case is still being investigated and no other details will be released at this time.
Detectives are asking the public who may have any information concerning this case or the victim and suspect, as well as Claytons black BMW and the victims white Ford F-150 truck, to contact detectives.
