Authorities in Salt Lake City, Utah are investigating the deaths of a 34-year-old man and his 6-year-old son as a murder-suicide.
A family member of Samuel Bean Owen called 911 at around 10:30 p.m. Saturday after finding the bodies of the father and son at a home near Van Buren Avenue and Main Street in the Ballpark neighborhood.
“Officers arrived and found a 34-year-old man and a six-year-old boy dead inside the home,” police said in a statement.
“Detectives believe Owen killed his son and then shot and killed himself.”
A motive for the incident remains unclear but Owen had recently filed for bankruptcy. Police said the father and his son lived alone in the home.
“This is a very tragic moment for our community,” said SLC Police Chief Mike Brown.
“These are among the most difficult calls for service our officers, detectives, crime lab technicians, victim advocates, and social workers handle.”
“My condolences and prayers are with those impacted by this loss.”
