Police seeking info, evidence related to 99-year-old woman’s homicide

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — Police are asking for those spending time around the Kamas, Utah, area in the coming months to keep an eye out for evidence in a homicide case involving a 99-year-old woman.

West Valley City Police Department said Maren Carlson has been missing since November 2021.

“It is suspected that she was murdered by her grandson and her body potentially disposed of in that area,” states a Thursday morning press release from WVCPD.

On Nov. 12, 2021, a woman reported that she had escaped after her husband, Garman Shaun Cunningham, held her captive for several days inside their home. Police said the woman also told authorities Cunningham had killed his own grandmother, Maren Carlson, during that same time.

Investigators later confirmed that Carlson had been living in the same home as Cunningham.

“Investigators have developed information that Cunningham possibly disposed of his grandmother’s body in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest near SR (state Route) 150 (Mirror Lake Highway) or SR (state Route) 35,” the release stated.

WE NEED YOUR HELP! If you’re heading to Utah’s mountains for hunting or hiking, we’re asking you to keep an eye out for evidence in a murder case. pic.twitter.com/PVpWS54Rm2

— WVC Police (@WVCPD) August 18, 2022

Police said multiple search operations have already been conducted, but Carlson’s body has not been found. She is described as 4 foot 11, 85 pounds, with white hair. She was last seen wearing light pink pajamas with a floral design on them. She may also have been wearing a robe, according to police.

“Investigators also believe there could be a black garbage bag in the area that could hold evidentiary value,” the release stated.

Anyone who locates items they believe may be connected to the case has been asked to note the coordinates of the evidence, if possible, and to contact the West Valley City Police Department at 801-840-4000.

Cunningham was charged by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office in Dec. 2021 with aggravated murder and aggravated kidnapping, both first-degree felonies; obstructing justice, a second-degree felony; two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of illegal discharge of a firearm, both third-degree felonies.

Police said he died by suicide in March 2022 while in custody.