In the early morning hours of February 17, 2017, the life of 51-year-old White male Melvin Dyer was tragically cut short in a violent home invasion at a Salt Lake City apartment located at 1930 S. West Temple. The chaos erupted around 5:30 a.m. when police received calls about an argument and shots fired. Upon their arrival, they discovered a grim scene: Dyer was dead, and two other individuals, a man and a woman, had sustained grazing head wounds.
The incident began when Brody Olson,
36, forced his way into the apartment armed with a revolver, intending to steal drugs and valuables. He demanded wallets, purses, cell phones, and a safe from the occupants. As the robbery unfolded, a physical altercation broke out. The other occupants of the apartment fought back, with one person hitting Olson in the head multiple times with a flashlight and another biting him above his left eyebrow. During this struggle, Olson fired his weapon multiple times, striking Dyer in the chest and fatally wounding him.
Following the shooting, Olson fled the scene with the help of 38-year-old Tonita Holland, who served as the getaway driver in a stolen SUV. They drove to a residence in South Salt Lake, where residents, alarmed by Olson's serious head injuries from the altercation, called 911. When police arrived at the South Salt Lake address, they found Olson, whose appearance matched witness descriptions. He was observed dropping a dark-colored, hooded sweatshirt with recent rips.
Both Brody Olson and Tonita Holland were promptly arrested in connection with the murder. Olson was booked on charges of murder, robbery, and burglary. Holland was arrested on suspicion of criminal homicide for her role in the crime. Olson later pleaded guilty to first-degree felony murder and was sentenced to 15 years to life in prison. Holland pleaded guilty to second-degree felony manslaughter and received a sentence of one to 15 years in prison.
