In the quiet community of Torrey, Utah, a tragedy unfolded that shattered the peace of the scenic landscape. Linda Dewey, a 65-year-old woman, was killed on March 4, 2026, during what was meant to be a pleasant hike with her niece. This violent act was part of a series of events that claimed the lives of three women and led to a multi-state manhunt for the person responsible.
On that Wednesday, Linda Dewey and her 34-year-old niece, Natalie Graves, were on the Cockscomb Trail, a place
they both cherished for its beauty and tranquility. Their outing took a horrific turn when they were confronted by a man who, according to authorities, was driven by a desperate need for transportation and money. The women were shot and their bodies were later found by their husbands, who had grown worried when they did not return home. Their discovery initiated a broader investigation that would soon reveal the full scope of the day's violence.
The suspect in these brutal killings was identified as 22-year-old Ivan Miller of Blakesburg, Iowa. According to charging documents, Miller's spree began after he hit an elk with his truck a few days prior and sold the damaged vehicle. Finding himself stranded, he allegedly broke into the home of 86-year-old Margaret Oldroyd in the nearby town of Lyman. Miller reportedly waited for Oldroyd to return and then shot her while she was watching television. He then stole her car, a Buick LeSabre.
Dissatisfied with the stolen Buick, Miller drove to the Cockscomb Trailhead. It was there that he encountered Linda Dewey and Natalie Graves, who had arrived in a 2022 white Subaru Outback. Miller allegedly killed both women, dragged their bodies into a ditch, and fled in the Subaru. He also took their credit cards, which he used to purchase gas.
A manhunt for Miller ensued, with law enforcement tracking the stolen Subaru through southern Utah, into northern Arizona, and finally to Pagosa Springs, Colorado. He was apprehended there in the early morning hours of March 5, 2026. During questioning, Miller reportedly confessed to the three murders, stating that "it had to be done." He was subsequently charged with three counts of aggravated murder. Miller's public defender stated that his client did not wish to speak with the police or the media.
