On May 31, 1977, the life of 29-year-old David John Woodhurst was tragically cut short in Sandy, a city within Salt Lake County, Utah. A Vietnam veteran and a dedicated postman, Woodhurst was going about his day when he entered the premises of a local jeweler. Unbeknownst to him, a robbery was in progress, orchestrated by a career criminal named Viva Leroy Nash and an accomplice.
In a senseless act of violence, Nash shot Woodhurst in the back, allowing the two robbers to flee the scene with a quantity of jewelry. David, a married man with two young sons, succumbed to his injuries.
The investigation into the murder quickly identified Viva Leroy Nash as the perpetrator. Nash, who already had a history of violent crime, including a previous murder, was subsequently arrested, convicted, and imprisoned for the murder of David Woodhurst. However, the story did not end there. Nash later managed to escape from prison and went on to commit further crimes, including another murder. His time as a fugitive eventually came to an end when he was recaptured by law enforcement.
Following his recapture, Viva Leroy Nash was once again brought to justice. He was convicted for his additional crimes and sentenced to death. He would spend the remainder of his life behind bars, becoming one of the longest-serving prisoners in the United States. Nash died in prison in 2010 at the age of 94, having spent nearly 80 years incarcerated for his various offenses. David Woodhurst was laid to rest at the Bountiful Memorial Park in Davis County, Utah.
