Mountain-goers asked to look out for evidence in West Valley City homicide case
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (KUTV) — Those visiting Utah's mountains have been asked by West Valley City police to keep an eye out for evidence in a homicide case.
They said it is suspected that Maren Carlson, who was 99 when she went missing in November 2021, was murdered by her grandson and her body was potentially disposed around the Kamas area in Summit County.
The investigation began on Nov. 12, 2021, when a woman reported that her husband, 51-year-old Garman Shaun Cunningham, "held her captive for several days inside their home" and that he had killed Carlson, his grandmother, during that time.
Investigators confirmed that Carlson had been living in the same home as Cunningham and that she was not located there.
They said she was possibly disposed by Cunningham in the Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest near Mirror Lake Highway or by State Route 35. Multiple searches have been conducted by police departments in the area to locate the body of Carlson, without results.
Officers said Carlson was last seen wearing light pink pajamas with a floral design on them and possibly a robe. She was described as being 4'11" and 85 lbs with white hair.
Police said there may also be a black garbage bag in the area that could hold evidence in the case.
Anyone who finds evidence has been asked to contact the West Valley City Police Department at 801-840-4000.
Cunningham was charged with aggravated murder and aggravated kidnapping, both first-degree felonies, in December 2021. He was also charged with a second-degree felony of obstructing justice and third-degree felonies of two counts of aggravated assault and three counts of illegal discharge of a firearm.
He died by suicide in March while in custody.
If you or someone you know feels hopeless or in crisis, resources are available.
- National Suicide Prevention 24-hour lifeline: 1-800-273-8255
- Crisis Line serving Davis, Morgan and Weber Counties: 801-625-3700
- Crisis Line of Utah County: 801-226-4433
- Provo Crisis Line: 801- 373-7393
- Crisis Line serving Salt Lake, Summit and Tooele counties: 801-261-1442
- Utah students can talk or text with a counselor through the SafeUT app.