Two women were found dead on a hiking trail Wednesday afternoon, while the body of a third woman was discovered in a home in Wayne County, according to officials in Torrey, Utah. An urgent manhunt has been launched in connection with the murders and officials have issued a county-wide shelter-in-place order, The Sun reported.
The identities of the three women have not yet been released, but police said one victim was in her 30s, the other in her 60s and the third in her 80s. Authorities launched a large-scale manhunt for a suspect in what they described as multiple murders and urged residents to remain “vigilant,” secure their homes and stay indoors.
Schools throughout the area were closed, and officials said the decision was made “out of an abundance of caution and concern for the safety of students and the public.”
The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office advised all residents Wednesday night to “take special precautions, leave lights on, lock doors and stay home or with others.”
Investigators have not yet publicly identified a suspect in the case. However, that person is believed to remain at large and police are searching for a white 2022 Subaru Outback with Utah license plate U560YF.
“Due to the recent incidents that occurred in Wayne County today, WCSO is asking all residents to take extra precautions, leave their lights on, lock their doors and stay home or with others tonight if possible,” the sheriff’s release quoted residents as notifying residents last night.
“There are several law enforcement agencies currently in the area. The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office and other law enforcement agencies are taking steps to ensure the safety of all residents. Please report anything that causes an alarm to our Wayne County dispatch line which is 1-800-356-8757. Please DO NOT call dispatch to answer questions, only to provide legitimate information,” they said.
Meanwhile, the county school district announced that all schools will remain closed, possibly for two days, while the investigation and emergency search for people continues. The district said due to ongoing events in the county and “out of an abundance of caution and concern for student and public safety,” schools will be closed Thursday and Friday. It also said counselors will be available to students when classes resume next week and that further updates will be shared as the situation develops.
Police have warned residents not to approach the suspected killer or the vehicle linked to the case.
