Estimated read time: 8-9 minutes
When it comes to homicidal history, Utah's is as dark as it gets. There are more than a few names throughout the decades that, even their mere mention still send chills down the spine. Whether it be Ted Bundy's sickening acts or the enigmatic and devious exploits of Mark Hofmann, whose forgeries and bombings shook people's faith, each chapter in Utah's criminal history reveals layers of intrigue that continue to fascinate -- and disturb.
From the desolate expanses of the desert to the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, these notorious killers have left an indelible mark on the state's consciousness over the past 70 years.
Barton Kay Kirkham - 1950s
The last person to be hanged for their crimes in Utah, Barton Kay Kirkham's 1956 killing of two grocery store clerks horrified locals and still haunts today. His motivations appeared to be robbery.
Still, suspecting there was more money to be had, he forced 50-year-old storekeeper, David Avon Frame, and 37-year-old Ruth Holmes Webster, a mother of four from Sandy, Utah, to kneel on the floor before fatally shooting them in the head.
Sentenced to death, according to a newspaper account, he chose hanging as his preferred method of execution because of its inconvenience to the state.
Myron Lance and Walter Kelbach - 1960s
Few deadly duos match the horror spree of Myron Lance and Walter Kelbach in 1966. Hopped up on drugs and alcohol, the two former convicts and lovers took five lives over just a few days as as they stabbed, raped, sodomized and finally executed their victims with gunshots to the head.
In an article posted on Murderpedia.org, Kelbach, in remembering his crimes, said, "I haven't any feelings toward the victims … I don't mind people getting hurt because I just like to watch it."
Ted Bundy - 1970s
Of all the infamous Utah killers, perhaps none surpass the evil that lurked behind the smiling eyes of Ted Bundy. A student at the University of Utah Law School, Bundy defied the stereotype of a serial killer. Even as he stood trial for kidnapping in Utah in 1978, a New York Times headline dubbed him an "All-American boy."
From 1974 to 1978, Bundy's trail of murders spanned Utah, Washington, Oregon, Colorado and Florida. While he confessed to 30 killings, the true count likely exceeds that. Although convicted and imprisoned for the Utah kidnapping, Bundy faced further murder charges in Colorado. Escaping twice, he persisted in his spree.
Eventually found guilty of murder, he met his end in the electric chair in 1989. A defense investigator, as quoted in an allthatsinteresting.com article, likened Bundy to the devil himself, remarking, "I would describe him as close to being like the devil as anyone I ever met."
Gary Ridgway - 1970s
Ridgway, the infamous "Green River killer," holds the grim distinction of being the most prolific serial murderer in the United States, convicted of 49 killings and potentially linked to even more, possibly upwards of more than 90 women. His chilling admission, as cited on criminalminds.fandom.com, encapsulates his remorseless demeanor: "I killed so many women I have a hard time keeping them straight."
Ridgways's roots began in Utah, where his depraved descent began at just 14 when he attempted his first murder by stabbing a 6-year-old boy.
His reign of terror stretched across three decades, with his first confirmed slaying dating back to 1973, though it's likely he started killing before that. It wasn't until 2001, when DNA evidence finally caught up with him, that he faced justice. Sentenced to life in prison, he is still incarcerated to this day.
Gary Gilmore - 1970s
Gary Gilmore became more famous for his death than his crimes when he became the first person executed in the United States after the death penalty was reinstated.
Arriving in Provo in 1976 after spending over two decades in various Oregon prisons for offenses ranging from drunk driving to armed robbery, Gilmore's time in Utah took a dark turn just four months later. He committed two separate murders during robberies.
His execution was carried out on Jan. 17, 1977, a mere nine months after he arrived in Utah and six months after the crimes.
Opting for death by firing squad at the Utah State Penitentiary, Gilmore's infamy grew after his murders. Britannica.com noted that his last words to the executioners were, "Let's do it."
Arthur Gary Bishop - 1980s
Arthur Gary Bishop grew up in Salt Lake City, where he was a classic "Utah boy." He excelled as an Eagle Scout and honor student. After finishing high school, he became a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in the Philippines.
However, by 1978, he faced trouble. He was caught embezzling and was excommunicated from his faith. Renaming himself, he joined the Big Brother program, where he began harming young boys.
Between 1979 and 1983, he killed five victims, aged 4 to 13, resulting in his conviction for murder, kidnapping and child abuse.
He was executed on June 10, 1988. Upon entering the death chamber, he was nervous and fully accepting that his punishment was just. Before his execution, as stated in a Deseret News article, he said he would "Kneel before Christ in the next life, having a perfect recollection of all my guilt, with a broken heart."
Mark Hofmann - 1980s
Mark Hoffman was a master forger and rare documents dealer who eventually killed two people to hide his fraud. He notably duped many scholars and even some leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
To conceal his fraud, Hoffman sent bombs to different document collectors, and two people died because of it. He was found guilty in 1988 and is still in prison today. His story was made more famous by the Netflix documentary, "Murder Among the Mormons."
The official website for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints says, regarding the Mark Hoffman forgeries, "Church historians and archivists have also exercised increased vigilance in corroborating claims of document provenance and historical context with other evidence. The publication and digitization of Joseph Smith's papers and many other important document collections has helped broaden the base from which to evaluate new discoveries."
Sergei Babarin - 1990s
On April 15, 1999, Sergei Babarin, a 70-year-old schizophrenic and Russian emigre opened fire in the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Family History Library in Salt Lake City. He used a .22-caliber handgun to kill two people and wound several more. The Church News reports that the shooting continued for a time, where workers and patrons hid under tables and side rooms. When police and SWAT officers arrived they returned fire on Babarin. He was then taken to an ambulance where he was pronounced dead.
Sulejman Talovic - 2000s
In February 2007, Utah experienced one of its worst shootings, carried out by 18-year-old Bosnian refugee, Sulejman Talovic. Known as a shy but generous boy, Talovic shot nine people at the Trolley Square mall, killing five. He refused to surrender his 12-gauge shotgun to police officers and was subsequently shot and killed.
Upon hearing the news, his mother, Sabira, suffered a heart attack. In an interview with The New York Times, Sulejaman's father, Suljo said, "It's very painful … I have pain for my son. I have pain for everybody who has died. I am sorry for everybody."
Josh Powell - 2010s
It's been 15 years since Susan Powell went missing. Her husband, Josh Powell, was always the top person of interest. Regardless of his guilt in her case, Josh is confirmed to have killed his sons and himself in a brutal murder-suicide where he hacked his sons with a hatchet, started them and himself on fire, and blew up their house in 2012. An article by the Deseret News details how the fire and murders of his boys were carefully planned.
Since then the popular "Cold" podcasts have provided new details and insights into the case.
Celebrities you didn't know had Utah roots
Even if you're familiar with some or many of these names, there's a good chance that at least one of them will come as a total surprise. Here are eight celebrities you might not know had Utah roots.Siegfried & Jensen
Since 1990, Siegfried & Jensen have been helping the people of Utah and surrounding states who have suffered needless injuries and death caused by car accidents, truck accidents, medical malpractice, defective drugs, dog bites, wrongful death, and other types of personal injury.
The firm is committed to keeping Utah families and communities safe by ensuring wrongdoers are held accountable. While a lawsuit isn't always the answer when it is needed having someone on your side can mean the difference between declaring bankruptcy and rebuilding your life and moving forward, especially when you're up against an insurance company or a hospital.
Siegfried & Jensen has represented more than 35,000 clients and recovered over $1.2 billion for them.
