In a quiet Salt Lake City neighborhood, the life of a bright and imaginative 6-year-old boy named Adlai Padma Owen was tragically cut short on the evening of Saturday, May 18, 2024. Adlai, a boy remembered for his warmth, humor, and a particular expertise in all things Godzilla, was found deceased inside his home in the Ballpark neighborhood near Van Buren Avenue and Main Street.
He was a funny and kind child, known by his classmates for his comic book creations and his willingness to share.
The discovery was made by Salt Lake City police officers who were called to the residence for a welfare check at approximately 10:30 p.m. Upon entering the home, they found the bodies of Adlai and his 34-year-old father, Samuel Owen. Investigators quickly determined that the incident was a murder-suicide, believing that Samuel Owen shot and killed his young son before turning the firearm on himself.
The Salt Lake City Police Department's Homicide Squad is leading the investigation into the deaths. Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown described the event as a 'very tragic moment for our community,' acknowledging the profound difficulty of such cases for all involved. Family members have indicated that Samuel Owen had a history of mental health struggles.
The loss of Adlai has left his mother, relatives, and classmates heartbroken. His family expressed their deep gratitude for the outpouring of love and support they received during this immensely difficult time. In his obituary, he was remembered as a child who could transform modeling clay into an elephant in his mother's eyes and whose presence was a shining light in the lives of those who knew him.
