Evidence mounts in arrest of Utah teen for mother, half-brother deaths
Utah teen arrested; evidence includes surveillance video, gunshot residue, DNA, and handwritten notes.
Event / Security
Utah Teen Arrested Mother Half-Brother Deaths
A 17-year-old from Saratoga Springs, Utah was arrested in August 2025 for the March 2025 deaths of his mother Jessica Orton Lyman and 8-year-old half-brother Eli Painter. Following a 17-month investigation, he was charged with two counts of aggravated murder and obstruction of justice. Evidence includes surveillance video, DNA analysis, gunshot residue, and handwritten notes.
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2026-08-25 to 2026-11-08 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 25 Aug, 04:04 UTC
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What happened
FBI and police dive teams searched Jordan River for discarded weapon
FBI and Saratoga Springs police dive teams searched the Jordan River and surrounding banks for evidence based on investigative findings suggesting the weapon could have been discarded there. Police had previously stated they had not recovered firearms in the investigation other than two BB guns found in the teen's room.
Surveillance video allegedly captured argument and gunshots before victims found
A neighboring home-surveillance camera allegedly captured an argument around 11:30 p.m. on March 27, 2025, with voices investigators believe belonged to the teen and the victims. Near midnight, a woman's voice consistent with Jessica Orton Lyman's could be heard shouting 'What are you doing?!' Less than two minutes later, three gunshots were heard—one, followed by a brief pause, then two in rapid succession. The teen later told investigators he and his mother had argued that night.
Handwritten notes about murder found in teen's room during search
A warrant unsealed last year detailed a search of the teen's room, where detectives allegedly found handwritten notes mentioning 'serology,' 'DNA,' and 'firearm testing.' Another note read, 'This is a murder story.'
17-year-old Utah boy arrested for killing mother and 8-year-old half-brother
A 17-year-old boy from Saratoga Springs, Utah was arrested on August 14 after a 17-month investigation into the deaths of his mother, Jessica Orton Lyman (44), and 8-year-old half-brother Eli Painter. Police responded to a medical-assist call at their home on Willowbrook Lane on March 28, 2025, and found both victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving efforts, both died at the scene. The teen was booked into juvenile detention on two screened counts of first-degree murder, with prosecutors later filing two counts of aggravated murder and one count of obstruction of justice in juvenile court. Authorities plan to seek transfer of the case to adult district court.
Masked figure matching teen's build captured on video hours after shooting
Additional home-surveillance video allegedly showed a masked figure walking through the neighborhood between 2:34 a.m. and 2:59 a.m. on March 28, 2025. Prosecutors said the person was consistent with the teen's height and build, and the mask and clothing appeared consistent with items he had worn. The person's route and gaps in the video suggested the weapon could have been discarded in several places, including the nearby Jordan River.
Gunshot residue and DNA evidence allegedly linked teen to victims
Charging documents allege investigators found gunshot residue on multiple clothing items, including clothes the teen wore the morning the victims were discovered. His DNA was allegedly found beneath one victim's fingernails and on the waistband of shorts Jessica Orton Lyman was wearing when she died.
17-month investigation involved dozens of search warrants and hundreds of evidence items
The investigation into the deaths of Jessica Orton Lyman and Eli Painter spanned 17 months, involving dozens of search warrants, hundreds of pieces of evidence, and extensive forensic testing. Evidence was submitted to forensic laboratories, with some examinations requiring significant time before additional investigative steps could be taken. The FBI, Utah State Crime Laboratory, West Jordan Police Department, and Utah County Sheriff's Office Evidence Team assisted in the investigation.
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