Jeremy Bailey, a 34-year-old Utah man, is in police custody after confessing to the brutal murder of his wife, mother-in-law, and father-in-law, according to a police statement.
On Friday, May 19, at around 9:45 AM, Bailey reached out to the Layton City Police Department, declaring his responsibility for the three murders. The official account disclosed that Bailey remained on the line with the authorities until they arrived at his residence, located near Salt Lake City.
Upon their arrival, officers instructed Bailey to exit his house before taking him into custody. Inside the house, they found the lifeless bodies of Anastasia Stevens, Bailey’s 36-year-old wife, her stepmother, Becky Stevens, 61, and her father, Donald Stevens, 73.
Additionally, three of the family’s four dogs were also found dead. The tragedy unfolded at the home of Jeremy Bailey and Anastasia, where Becky and Donald Stevens were visiting from Nevada.
As per the Layton Police, the motive behind the crime remains unclear and the cause of death is still under investigation.
In a statement suggesting probable cause, Bailey reportedly told the authorities that he had been pondering the act for some days. He claimed that 20 minutes had passed since the deaths before he made the call, hinting at a “murder-suicide.”
Following the incident, Bailey posted a distressing message on his wife’s Facebook page, publicly announcing the murders and revealing his home address. The affidavit also revealed that one of the victims had voiced concerns to a therapist earlier on the day of the murders, suggesting a need for legal intervention after discovering something alarming.
Current jail records show that Bailey is facing charges of aggravated murder, discharging a firearm, and aggravated animal cruelty.
Del Mar Stevens, a neighbor who is unrelated to the victims, described the couple as friendly and unobtrusive. Stevens expressed shock at the grim occurrence, noting such incidents are rare in their neighborhood.
