In the quiet town of Spanish Fork, Utah, a tragedy unfolded on January 16, 2014, revealing a grim scene inside a family home. Marie King, a 55-year-old Caucasian female, was found deceased, not alone, but as one of several victims in a horrific event that cut short the lives of four family members. The discovery was made late that Thursday night when law enforcement conducted a welfare check at the residence of Lindon police officer Joshua Boren.
He had failed to report for his shift, raising concern among his colleagues.
Upon their arrival, officers peered through a window and saw signs of a violent struggle, including blood, shell casings, and a handgun. This prompted them to enter the home, where their fears were confirmed. Upstairs, they discovered the bodies of Marie King, her daughter Kelly Boren, 32, and Kelly's two young children, Jaden, 7, and Haley, 5. In a separate bedroom from her daughter and grandchildren, Marie King's life had been taken. The investigation quickly pointed to a grim conclusion: a quadruple murder-suicide.
The perpetrator was identified as Joshua Boren, Marie's son-in-law. Investigators determined that Boren, 34, had used his police-issued handgun to shoot and kill his wife, his two children, and his mother-in-law before taking his own life. The motive behind the devastating act was later explored in a comprehensive 145-page police report released in July 2014. The report detailed a troubled history for Boren, including allegations of abuse against his wife and personal struggles with addiction. The investigation concluded that Boren was a "very troubled individual" who feared losing his wife and children.
The community was left in shock, mourning the loss of the Boren family and Marie King. A funeral service for Marie, her daughter Kelly, and her grandchildren Jaden and Haley was held together, uniting them in death as they had been in life. The tragic event left a lasting scar on the Spanish Fork community and served as a somber reminder of the hidden struggles that can exist behind closed doors.
