Ogden, UT – Authorities are investigating a horrific murder-suicide that left five members of a Utah family dead, including a mother and her four children. Police believe the father of the family, 42-year-old John Doe, shot and killed his wife and four children before taking his own life.
A 17-year-old boy survived the attack but is reported to have suffered severe brain injuries. The tragic incident took place over the weekend at a split-level home in a quiet suburban neighborhood of Salt Lake City. However, the victims were not discovered until Tuesday, when a relative who had been unable to reach the family grew concerned and entered the house. Inside, the relative found the severely wounded teenage boy in the garage, prompting a call to emergency services. When officers arrived, they found the mother, 38-year-old Jane Doe, and two of the children—ages 9 and 2—dead in an upstairs bedroom, lying together in the same bed.
The body of an 11-year-old boy was discovered in the downstairs living room, along with the father’s body. A handgun was found underneath John Doe, leading investigators to believe he was responsible for the killings. Police believe the surviving teenage son was likely shot elsewhere in the home and managed to crawl to the garage before losing consciousness. Authorities have not released further details on the extent of his injuries, though they describe them as critical. His condition remains unclear, and his recovery is expected to be a long and difficult process. West Valley City Police spokeswoman Roxeanne Vainuku confirmed that there were no previous reports of domestic violence or other disturbances involving the family.
Neighbors reported no gunshots heard over the weekend, and authorities said they were unaware of any red flags prior to the tragedy. At this time, investigators have not found any evidence to suggest a motive, and there was no note left by the father. “The father likely shot all of the members of the family and then himself,” Vainuku said during a news conference. “It’s certainly hard for our community to comprehend.” The family had reportedly been in regular contact with relatives, but when Jane Doe failed to show up for work on Monday and Tuesday, her concerned relative reached out to police. Officers visited the home on Monday evening but, finding no signs of an emergency, were unable to enter without further cause.
The family member then entered the home on Tuesday after repeated attempts to contact Jane Doe failed, discovering the gruesome scene. “As we know, adults have the right to do what they want to do and they don’t have to communicate with their family members if they don’t want to,” Vainuku explained. “But that’s always a tricky balance between respecting people’s privacy and addressing the concerns of family members when something seems off.” This tragedy marks the 38th mass killing in the United States in 2024, according to the FBI’s definition, which classifies incidents in which four or more people are killed within a 24-hour period, excluding the perpetrator.
So far this year, mass killings have claimed at least 165 lives across the country, highlighting an alarming and growing trend of violent, large-scale tragedies. For the tight-knit community of West Valley City, the loss is still incomprehensible. Neighbors described the family as relatively quiet, with no prior indications that anything was wrong.
The authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and while there are few answers at this stage, the community mourns the loss of five innocent lives.