Detectives investigating after two women found dead near Moab
Aug 20, 2021, 6:47 PM | Updated: Jul 14, 2023, 3:52 pm
MOAB, Utah — Officials with the Grand County Sheriff’s Office said they were looking for the person or persons responsible in the deaths of two women near Moab.
The bodies of 38-year-old Crystal Turner and 24-year-old Kylen Schulte were found Wednesday in the South Mesa area of the La Sal Loop Road, just outside of Moab.
A preliminary report from the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner shows they both died from gunshot wounds.
Originally, this was a missing persons case that began Aug. 14.
The two women, who were from Moab and were married four months ago, camped in the La Sal Mountains often.
Schulte’s father said on Facebook that his daughter had sent some of her friends a message, saying there was a “weirdo camping next to them that was freaking them out and that they should move campsites.”
That’s the last time anybody heard from them.
A woman who was searching for them found their car and one of their bodies on Aug. 18.
She called the Grand County Sheriff’s Office, and when detectives arrived, the body of the other woman was found.
As of Friday evening, detectives said no arrests have been made, and they’re asking for anyone who may have seen something to let them know.
“Between August 13th to the present, if you saw anything out of the ordinary or suspicious, please contact us,” said Capt. Shan Hackwell with the Grand County Sheriff’s Office. “Maybe you heard something or something that woke you up in the middle of the night during that time. Maybe you saw a vehicle driving. Anything that could help, please let us know.”
The La Sal Loop Road and the areas just off it are popular places for people to camp and hike.
Many people have commented on the Sheriff’s Facebook page about their concerns if the area is safe with a killer on the loose somewhere.
The Sheriff’s Office said detectives don’t believe there is any threat to the public.
“It is suspicious in nature, but we believe that this was an isolated incident. We do have active patrol in the area, and this is an ongoing investigation,” said Hackwell. “Our hearts and condolences go out to their families.”
A GoFundMe* page has been set up to help with funeral expenses for Kylen Schulte’s family.
*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.
