Neighbor surprised by domestic situation that left one dead in Sandy

SANDY, Utah — During this time of year, domestic and intimate partner violence sees an increase as emotions run high and people are spending more time together.

KSL’s Garna Mejia spoke with a neighbor who was shocked at what happened across the street from him in Sandy.

“When he was thinking clearly, he was a really smart, caring individual,” Paul Page said of his neighbor, 57-year-old Bill Jonides.

Page has known his neighbors, Bill and Linda Jonides — a couple from Wisconsin who have no children together — for years.

“We kind of talked about, when I retired, that we were going to walk around the block together type of deal, you know,” Page said.

It’s why Page’s family never imagined what unfolded at the home on Montana Drive Friday night.

UPDATE: Utah man tells police he killed wife ‘in a fit of rage’

“Looks like it might be a domestic,” an officer could be heard saying on a BroadCastify audio recording. “No one else in the house. Unknown if the female is breathing.”

According to the Sandy City Police Department, Bill called 9-1-1 after shooting and killing Linda in what he described as a “fit of rage.”

Responding officers found Linda in the upstairs bedroom “with obvious signs of trauma.”

Page said Bill struggled with his mental health, but was looking better in recent days.

“I was greatly surprised,” he said. “There were signs.”

Page said Bill mentioned years ago that he owned a gun.

“I had forgotten all about that firearm, you know,” Page said.

Page suspects it was used in the deadly event that took place Friday night.

He wonders if there is something more he could have done to help.

“I don’t know why, personally, I didn’t ask, ‘Can I remove the firearm from the home?’ he said. “Looking back, that would’ve been a good opportunity.”

“It’s always the responsibility of the person who is the aggressor,” Jenn Oxborrow, a licensed clinical social worker and domestic violence advocate, said. “It’s not anyone’s fault, other than the person who chooses to use violence and aggression, and that’s really important to remember, too.”

Oxborrow said domestic violence tragedies impact entire communities.

She said the risk of domestic violence increases during stressful times, like the holidays.

“What we know in Utah — and I have been doing this for a very long time — unfortunately, it is happening in our communities, and we all know somebody who is affected by this,” the licensed clinical social worker said.

Oxborrow said there is always help.

She said it can be immensely helpful to encourage a loved one to get their guns out of the home during times of emotional distress. But at the end of the day, it’s up to the gun-owner to handle it responsibly and safely.