Salt Lake City, Utah – A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday as authorities responded to a welfare check at a residence in Salt Lake City, where they discovered the lifeless bodies of a 34-year-old man and a 6-year-old child.
The deceased man, identified as Samuel Bean Owen, was a city employee who served as a policy analyst for Salt Lake City. Mayor Erin Mendenhall expressed profound sadness over the devastating events, describing Owen as a cherished colleague and friend within City Hall.
Details surrounding the welfare check remain scarce, with police indicating that a family member had placed the call out of concern. The circumstances leading up to the tragedy, including when Owen was last seen by relatives, have not been disclosed by authorities.
Upon arriving at Owen’s home near Van Buren Avenue and Main Street late Sunday evening, police made the grim discovery of the bodies. It was determined that Owen had fatally harmed his son before taking his own life.
Court records revealed that Owen had filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy shortly before the incident, with the latest hearing taking place just two days prior to the tragic discovery. Salt Lake City Police Chief Mike Brown expressed deep sorrow for the community, acknowledging the difficult nature of such heartbreaking situations.
Various resources for suicide prevention have been made available to individuals in need of support, including crisis hotlines and counseling services provided by the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. These resources aim to offer assistance and guidance to those experiencing suicidal thoughts or mental health crises in an effort to prevent further tragedies.