In the quiet town of Spanish Fork, Utah, a deeply disturbing tragedy unfolded on January 16, 2014, ending the life of 32-year-old Kelly Boren, a Caucasian female. The discovery was made late that Thursday evening when her husband, Joshua Boren, a police officer, failed to report for his shift. Concerned colleagues from the Lindon Police Department went to the family's home for a welfare check and what they found was a scene of unimaginable horror.
Through a window, they could see blood on the carpet, a chilling precursor to the devastating discovery that awaited them inside.
Upon entering the home, officers found the bodies of Kelly Boren, her two young children, seven-year-old Jaden and five-year-old Haley, and her mother, 55-year-old Marie King. All four had been shot and killed. The investigation quickly pointed to one suspect: Kelly's husband and the children's father, 34-year-old Joshua Boren. It was determined that he had perpetrated the killings before turning the gun on himself, ending his own life. Authorities found no suicide note at the scene, leaving a community and two families to grapple with the shocking loss.
As investigators delved into the couple's life, a darker picture began to emerge, one that stood in stark contrast to the image of a happy family. Friends and family were aware that Kelly and Joshua had been experiencing marital problems and were separated at the time of the tragedy. The investigation later revealed alarming allegations of abuse by Joshua towards Kelly. Reports indicated that he had drugged and sexually assaulted his wife on multiple occasions, even videotaping the horrific acts. The night before the murders, a heated text message exchange between the couple revealed the depth of their turmoil, with Kelly confronting Joshua about his actions. Tragically, this confrontation appears to have been the catalyst for the devastating events that followed. In the wake of the violence, a community was left to mourn the senseless loss of four innocent lives at the hands of a man who was meant to protect them.
