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‘We stand with them’: Community members rally around the family of an American Fork couple found dead in a murder-suicide

Theo

AMERICAN FORK — Family, friends and those who worked closely with an American Fork couple who died this week honored them with a candlelight vigil Sunday evening.

The couple Kerilyn and Olin Johnson were found dead in their home on Thursday. Police classified the death as a murder followed by suicide.

Melanie Cartwright, a family friend, said the vigil was held to help the community and family heal.

“Everyone grieves in their own way and we just hope that there is enough space tonight for everyone to come and have the experience they need to find hope, peace and healing,” she told KSL.

Cartwright said she met Kerilyn at Brigham Young University.

(Shelby Lofton, KSL-TV)

(Shelby Lofton, KSL-TV)

“We did some performances, the Nauvoo pageant, and I had the privilege of being at her house and meeting her whole family,” Cartwright said.

She said the 52-year-old was a well-known and talented artist. Organizers of the vigil asked people to eat sweets there in honor of Kerilyn, who they said was a baker and cook.

“Kerilyn was always so full of light and just everyone’s cheerleader. Everyone just loved being around Kerilyn,” Cartwright said.

Cartwright said that in addition to BYU voice students and friends of the amateur theater, members of the search and rescue team, of which Olin was a member, also came to the vigil.

“Close and expensive”

“This couple was very dear to the heart of the entire community,” she said.

A family member spoke at the vigil, thanking the community for its support and asking for continued privacy and space.

Many people hugged each other and cried days after the deaths.

They wrote obituaries and memoirs, which were compiled into books and given to the Johnsons’ six children.

“We just wanted to support this family and let them know that they are not alone and that we grieve with them,” Cartwright said.

Police have not said what led to Olin shooting his wife twice and then killing himself. They are still investigating but told KSL there were no signs of a struggle or argument at the scene.

Suicide Prevention Resources

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts or showing warning signs, call, text, or chat with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Hotline at 988 which is answered 24/7/365 by crisis counselors Huntsman Institute of Mental Health. All calls to existing crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255, will also be connected to a crisis counselor at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute.

Additional resources

  • SafeUT: Parents, students and educators can chat with a licensed crisis counselor by using the SafeUT App or call 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388)
  • SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, police officers, emergency services and medical personnel can chat with a licensed crisis counselor 24/7 for free by using the SafeUT Frontline App.
  • SafeUTNG: National Guard members can chat with a licensed crisis counselor 24/7 for free by calling the SafeUTNG app.
  • Utah Warm Line: If you need a listening ear in non-crisis situations while you overcome personal conflict and recover, call 1-833 SPEAKUT, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
  • The Huntsman Institute of Mental Health offers a wide range of programs and services, including suicide prevention and crisis response, hospital care, therapy and medication management, substance abuse and addiction treatment, child and adolescent programs, and maternal mental health services, including birth trauma, miscarriage, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.

LiveOnUtah.org is a statewide suicide prevention initiative that promotes education, provides resources, and changes Utah’s culture around suicide and mental health. It provides resources for faith-based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, and crisis and treatment options.

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