American Fork man killed wife, then himself, police say

Police vehicles are pictured in front of a home where two bodies, a husband and wife, were found in American Fork on Thursday. Police confirmed Friday the deaths were a murder-suicide.

Police vehicles are pictured in front of a home where two bodies, a husband and wife, were found in American Fork on Thursday. Police confirmed Friday the deaths were a murder-suicide. (Megan Nielsen, Deseret News)


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AMERICAN FORK — American Fork police on Friday identified the two people found dead in a murder-suicide in a home in the city as a husband and wife, Olin Johnson, 57, and Kerilyn Johnson, 52.

Authorities were called to a home near 1400 North and 80 East on Thursday at 12:41 p.m. and upon arriving found the couple already dead. A family member had discovered the bodies, calling for help, authorities said Thursday.

"Based on the investigation, it appears that Olin fatally shot Kerilyn before fatally shooting himself," American Fork police said in a statement released Friday.

"We're not real sure what led up to it, but he shot her twice and then shot himself, ending his life," said American Fork Police Lt. Stuart Fore.

Fore said there were no signs of struggle or argument before the killings, and did not elaborate on any other details about the scene.

Olin Johnson, 57, and Kerilyn Johnson, 52, were found dead inside their American Fork home on Thursday. Police confirm that the deaths were a murder-suicide.
Olin Johnson, 57, and Kerilyn Johnson, 52, were found dead inside their American Fork home on Thursday. Police confirm that the deaths were a murder-suicide. (Photo: Family photo)

"Investigators are waiting for final testing from the Utah (Office) of the Medical Examiner before a final disposition will be applied to the case," police said. The Utah Office of the Medical Examiner investigates sudden, unexpected, violent and suspicious deaths, according to its website.

Family of the Johnsons request privacy as they grieve, said the statement. "We express our most profound and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Olin and Kerilyn," police said.

Neighbors said Kerilyn was a well-known vocal coach, singer and performer and described the couple as giving, loving and serving. A family lawyer confirmed the couple has six kids.

Neighbors also said the couple was part of their tight-knit neighborhood and even played softball with the group the night before they died.

A GoFundMe account* has been set up to help the six children pay for funeral expenses, according to the organizer.

Contributing: Lindsay Aerts


*KSL.com 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 advisers and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

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Tim Vandenack covers immigration, multicultural issues and Northern Utah for KSL.com. He worked several years for the Standard-Examiner in Ogden and has lived and reported in Mexico, Chile and along the U.S.-Mexico border.
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