Iowa Man Charged in Utah Killings, Allegedly Sought Victims' Cars and Cash to Get Home

Suspect Ivan Miller accused of murdering three women in separate incidents across Utah and Colorado

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A 22-year-old Iowa man has been charged with aggravated murder in the deaths of two hikers and a third woman in Utah. Authorities say Ivan Miller told investigators he killed the three women to steal their cars and credit cards so he could get back home to Iowa after hitting an elk and selling his truck. Miller allegedly shot one woman in her home, then drove to a trailhead and killed the two hikers before taking their car.

Why it matters

This case highlights the dangers of random, opportunistic violence and the challenges law enforcement faces in tracking down suspects who commit crimes across multiple jurisdictions. The killings have shaken the rural Utah communities where they occurred and raised concerns about public safety, especially for those enjoying outdoor recreation.

The details

According to court documents, Miller told authorities he killed the three women - Linda Dewey, 65, Natalie Graves, 34, and Margaret Oldroyd, 86 - in order to steal their vehicles and money to get back to Iowa. Miller had hit an elk a few days earlier in a small Utah town near Capitol Reef National Park and was without a vehicle after selling his truck. He allegedly shot Oldroyd from behind while she was watching TV in her home, then parked her stolen Buick at a trailhead where he saw Dewey and Graves get out of a Subaru, killed them, and took their car.

  • On March 5, 2026, the bodies of Dewey and Graves were found at a trailhead in Utah.
  • Also on March 5, 2026, the body of Oldroyd was found in the cellar under a shed on her property in Lyman, Utah.
  • On March 5, 2026, Ivan Miller was arrested in Pagosa Springs, Colorado.

The players

Ivan Miller

A 22-year-old man from Blakesburg, Iowa, who has been charged with aggravated murder in the deaths of three women in Utah and Colorado.

Linda Dewey

A 65-year-old woman who was killed while hiking with her niece Natalie Graves.

Natalie Graves

A 34-year-old woman who was killed while hiking with her aunt Linda Dewey.

Margaret Oldroyd

An 86-year-old woman who was killed in her home in Lyman, Utah.

Randy Jones

Oldroyd's next-door neighbor of 20 years, who described her as "the sweetest woman you'd ever meet."

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What they’re saying

“Out here in rural counties, we all take care of each other.”

— Randy Jones, Neighbor of victim Margaret Oldroyd (Associated Press)

What’s next

Authorities are working to extradite Ivan Miller to Utah to face the murder charges. He is scheduled to make his first court appearance in Colorado on Friday.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for vigilance and community support in rural areas, as well as the challenges law enforcement faces in responding to random acts of violence that cross jurisdictional boundaries. It serves as a somber reminder of the importance of personal safety and looking out for one another, especially in more isolated communities.