In the late summer of 2025, the community of Twin Falls County was unsettled by the discovery of a deceased woman south of the city. On the evening of August 6, the body of Shannon Kampman, a 54-year-old female, was found by law enforcement at the Dry Gulch trailhead. She had sustained significant trauma to her head and face, later determined to be the result of two gunshot wounds.
Investigators were able to identify her through a pair of dentures found near her body that were inscribed with her name. While she was fully clothed, her underwear was missing, adding another layer of concern for the authorities piecing together the events that led to her death.
The investigation quickly zeroed in on a suspect, Tyler Jermane Owens of Twin Falls. In a turn of events, Owens' own mother contacted dispatch on the same evening Kampman's body was discovered, reporting that her son was experiencing a mental health crisis and had shown her bloody clothing, implying his involvement in a death. When police located Owens at a laundromat just before midnight, he attempted to flee in his vehicle, leading to a chase that ended in his arrest after he crashed into two police cars, causing minor injuries to the officers.
Following his apprehension, details emerged suggesting a meeting between Owens and Kampman on August 5. While Owens admitted to meeting her for a sexual encounter in the South Hills area, he denied killing her. However, a witness claimed Owens arrived at her trailer in the early morning hours of August 6 with a shotgun and bloody clothes, asking for assistance in cleaning his car. A search of Owens' vehicle uncovered Kampman's purse and blood-stained underwear. Based on the evidence gathered, Tyler Jermane Owens was charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of Shannon Kampman, in addition to several other felonies including possession of a firearm and concealment of evidence.
