In the quiet town of Dewey, Oklahoma, a grim discovery unfolded in January 2023, bringing to light the tragic end of Deborah Dutton, a 67-year-old female. What began as a welfare check at the home she shared with her husband, Larry, soon unraveled a story of betrayal and violence that had taken place weeks earlier, on December 19, 2022. The absence of the couple had prompted concern, leading Washington County Sheriff's deputies to their residence where a 'heavy odor of cleaning supplies and
bleach' immediately raised suspicion.
Inside the Dutton home, investigators found evidence of a violent struggle and a hasty cleanup. Blood had seeped through the baseboards in the master bedroom, a silent testament to the horrific events that had transpired. The investigation quickly focused on two individuals present at the home: the Duttons' 17-year-old adopted daughter and biological granddaughter, Heidi Dutton, and her 20-year-old boyfriend, Lucas Anthony Walker. Their presence at the scene, coupled with the disturbing discoveries inside, led to their arrest. During separate interrogations, both confessed to the murders of Deborah and Larry Dutton.
The chilling details of the crime emerged through their confessions and further investigation. The plan, allegedly conceived by Heidi Dutton who told Walker she 'wanted them dead,' was carried out by Walker. On the night of December 19, Walker retrieved a. 22 caliber handgun from the Duttons' garage and waited outside their bedroom. When an unsuspecting Deborah opened the door, Walker shot her before slitting her throat. Larry Dutton then rushed at Walker, whose pistol had jammed. A physical altercation ensued, during which Walker stabbed Larry repeatedly. Following the murders, the two attempted to clean the scene and, days later, buried the bodies in a shallow grave in their own backyard. A Ring security camera captured footage of Walker and Heidi dragging a body wrapped in a sheet out of the house.
Justice for Deborah and Larry Dutton came through the legal system. Lucas Anthony Walker pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 35 years in federal prison. His case was tried federally due to his citizenship with the Cherokee Nation. Heidi Dutton, charged as an adult, also pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and desecration of a human corpse. She was sentenced to life in prison. The investigation revealed that in the time between the murders and their arrests, the young couple had been spending the Duttons' money.
