TORREY, UT — A multi-state manhunt ended on Thursday, March 5, 2026, with the arrest of 22-year-old Ivan W. Miller of Blakesburg, Iowa, who is accused of randomly murdering three women across southern Utah. Miller, described by prosecutors as a "maniac" who acted without warning, allegedly confessed to the killings, chillingly telling investigators that while he "did not like to do it," the murders "had to be done" so he could steal vehicles and money to return home.
The victims, three strangers to the suspect and to each other, were killed in two separate locations near Capitol Reef National Park, leaving the rural communities of Lyman and Torrey in a state of profound grief and "tactical alert."
A Trail of "Convenience" Killings
The violence began on Wednesday, March 4, when Miller, who was on a cross-country road trip after selling his truck, targeted a vulnerable resident in Lyman.
- The First Victim: Miller allegedly spent the night in a shed on the property of Margaret Oldroyd, 86. He told police he watched her drive away in her Buick LeSabre, then waited behind a door inside her home. When she returned and sat down to watch television, he shot her in the back of the head.
- The Hiking Trail Ambush: After deciding he "did not like" Oldroyd's Buick, Miller drove to the Cockscomb Trail. There, he encountered Linda Dewey, 65, and her niece, Natalie Graves, 34. Prosecutors allege he shot and stabbed both women, dragged their bodies into a dry creek bed, and fled in their white Subaru Outback.
- The Discovery: The husbands of the two hikers found their wives' bodies at the trailhead late Wednesday evening, sparking an immediate "Level 1" emergency response and a search that spanned Utah, Arizona, and Colorado.
Three States of "Incommunicado"
The 24-hour manhunt utilized advanced license plate readers and vehicle tracking services to follow Miller’s path through the desert into the mountain town of Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
- The Capture: Colorado law enforcement located the abandoned Subaru and apprehended Miller "without incident" early Thursday morning. At the time of his arrest, he was found with a large knife and a .45 caliber pistol.
- Community Lockdown: While Miller was at large, Wayne County residents were placed under an "incommunicado" advisory, with schools and the county courthouse closed for two days.
- The Statement: Upon seeing a ranger at his door in Colorado, Miller reportedly put his hands in the air and said, "It’s okay, you can arrest me now."
"Depraved Indifference" v. Mental Health
On Friday, March 6, 2026, the "Legal War" shifted to the 6th District Court, where Miller was officially charged with three counts of aggravated murder, a first-degree felony.
- The Motive Debate: Prosecutors are framing the case as one of "extreme depraved indifference," noting that the victims were chosen purely for "convenience." They are expected to seek the death penalty.
- The Defense: Miller’s brother told reporters that the 22-year-old has "significant mental health issues," which defense attorneys are expected to use to challenge his competency to stand trial.
- The FBI Involvement: Because the crime spanned multiple state lines and involved federal parkland, the FBI is leading a secondary investigation into Miller's activities prior to his arrival in Utah.
"Clarity and Safety Back to Our Community"
Torrey Mayor Mickey Wright praised the rapid response of law enforcement for bringing "clarity" back to the grieving town. "Our community is strong, but we are hurting," he said, reflecting on the loss of three women who were staples of the local area.
For the families of Margaret Oldroyd, Linda Dewey, and Natalie Graves, the "Legal War" for justice is just beginning. For the Trump administration, the case is already being used as a talking point for increased "interior security" and the need for stricter monitoring of "transient threats" across state lines.