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MONTICELLO — A retired San Juan County sheriff's chief deputy charged in a sex abuse case has died by suicide just days after his release from jail.
Grayson Redd, 74, was found dead Sunday, according to San Juan County Attorney Brittney Ivins.
Just two days earlier, Redd had posted $20,000 bail and was released from the Grand County Jail, according to jail commander Shan Hackwell.
Redd spent nearly a week in jail following his arrest July 21 on suspicion of child sex abuse. He was charged with more than a dozen felonies. Prosecutors said the former deputy abused three boys whom he employed "during the summer months" dating back to 2003.
The San Juan County Sheriff's Office initially said it believed there were more victims out there. Following news of Redd's arrest, Ivins told KSL-TV "multiple additional victims" came forward to her office.
Redd had been released from jail on Friday on several conditions, including wearing a GPS monitor, relocating to Colorado, and not having contact with any of the victims in the case. A court hearing had been set for Sept. 16.
Grayson Redd was the father of Brian Redd, who is the executive director of the Utah Department of Corrections. Corrections spokesman Glen Mills said Monday the family is "devastated and trying to make sense of what happened."
Correction: An earlier version incorrectly reported the date Grayson Redd was arrested as June 21 instead of July 21.
Child abuse resources:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465). Resources are also available online: udvc.org. The statewide child abuse and neglect hotline is 1-855-323-DCFS (3237).
- The Utah Division of Child and Family Services offers counseling, teaches parenting skills and conflict resolution and can connect families with community resources. Its goal is to keep children with their family when it is "possible and safe." Visit dcfs.utah.gov/contact-us/ or call 801-538-4100.
- The Christmas Box House acts as a temporary shelter for children and can provide them with new clothing and shoes, among other services. Call the Salt Lake office at 801-747-2201 or the Ogden office at 801-866-0350.
Suicide prevention resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Crisis hotlines
- Huntsman Mental Health Institute Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
- SafeUT Crisis Line: 833-372-3388
- 988 Suicide and Crisis LifeLine at 988
- Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386
Online resources
- NAMI Utah: namiut.org
- SafeUT: safeut.org
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Utah chapter: afsp.org/chapter/utah
Warning signs of suicide
- Talking about wanting to die
- Looking for a way to kill oneself
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide.
Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
