In the quiet town of Lyman, Utah, a community was shaken by the unexpected and tragic death of 86-year-old Margaret Oldroyd. A long-time resident known for her love of yard work and as a friendly face at the local grocery store, her life was violently cut short on or around March 4, 2026.
The chain of events leading to her death began when a 22-year-old man from Iowa, Ivan Miller, found himself stranded in Wayne County after his truck was disabled in a collision with an elk.
After a few days in a hotel, Miller took shelter in a shed on Oldroyd's property. He saw her leave in her Buick and then entered her home, where he waited for her return. In a senseless act of violence, Miller shot the unsuspecting great-grandmother in the back of the head as she sat watching television. He then concealed her body in a cellar under the shed and fled in her car.
Dissatisfied with the Buick, Miller drove to the Cockscomb Trailhead between Torrey and Teasdale, intending to find another vehicle. There, he encountered 65-year-old Linda Dewey and her 34-year-old niece, Natalie Graves, who were out for a hike. Miller shot both women and stabbed Dewey multiple times before stealing their white Subaru Outback. The bodies of Dewey and Graves were later discovered by their husbands, which initiated a broad investigation.
The discovery of Oldroyd's abandoned Buick at the trailhead led investigators to her home, where they found her body. What followed was a multi-state manhunt for Miller. Law enforcement utilized license plate readers and the stolen Subaru's tracking system to follow his path through northern Arizona and into Colorado. Early on March 5, 2026, Miller was apprehended in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.
Ivan Miller confessed to the three murders, stating that he needed money and a vehicle to get back to Iowa. He was charged with three counts of aggravated murder. There was no known connection between Miller and any of his victims. The killings were described by authorities as crimes of "convenience". The small, close-knit communities of Wayne County were left in shock and mourning.
