The lawyer for the man accused of brutally murdering three Utah women in a random attack earlier this week has declared that his client will 'be fighting this every step of the way' against efforts to move him to Utah. Ivan Miller, a 22-year-old from Blakesburg, Iowa, allegedly killed Margaret Oldroyd, 86, Linda Dewey, 65, and her niece Natalie Graves, 34, on Wednesday near Capitol Reef National Park, approximately three hours south of Salt Lake City.
Arrest and Confession in Colorado
Miller was arrested the following day in Colorado, where he confessed to the killings, stating they 'had to be done', according to legal filings. Investigators revealed that Miller claimed to have shot the women to steal their cars and money, intending to return to Iowa where he faced pending burglary charges. During his first court appearance on Friday in Pagosa Springs, Miller wore a yellow jumpsuit and shackles, speaking only to confirm his name when prompted by Archuleta County Judge Anthony Edwards.
Legal Battle Over Extradition
His attorney, Colorado public defender Scott Van Zandt, asserted that Miller would resist extradition to Utah. 'We will not be waiving extradition here and we will be fighting this every step of the way,' Van Zandt stated. He also informed the judge that Miller 'does not wish to speak to law enforcement or to the press.' However, Wayne County prosecutors in Utah have countered that Miller already provided extensive details about the alleged murders and his motives during interrogations.
Details of the Alleged Murder Spree
Miller allegedly told investigators he became stranded in Utah after crashing his tow truck into an elk and selling the damaged vehicle to a tow company. After staying in hotels for a few days, he slept in a shed on Oldroyd's property in Lyman. Charging documents indicate that Miller shot the elderly woman in the back of the head as she watched television. He then took Oldroyd's Buick but decided he 'did not like the car' and began searching for another vehicle.
Oldroyd's neighbor, Randy Jones, expressed shock at her death, describing her as 'the sweetest woman you'd ever meet,' according to the Associated Press. Miller then allegedly targeted Dewey and Graves at a trailhead outside Capitol Reef National Park as they exited a white Subaru. Prosecutors claim he shot Graves in the chest, then shot Dewey twice and 'stabbed her multiple times in the heart' after she continued to move. Miller stole their car, took their credit cards, and used Dewey's card to purchase gas.
Family Reactions and Investigation
The husbands of Dewey and Graves alerted authorities when the women failed to return home. In a statement, their families said they were 'dealing with the shock of the devastating loss of two members of our family who were bonding over the beauty of a hike in one of their favorite places on earth.' They added, 'They were murdered. We cannot comprehend why this happened.'
Arrest and Charges
Miller was apprehended after license plate readers and vehicle tracking services traced his movements from Utah through northern Arizona to Pagosa Springs. He had abandoned the stolen car and was found with a knife and a .45 caliber pistol. Colorado officials have charged him with aggravated motor vehicle theft and unlawfully carrying a concealed weapon. However, the more severe charges are in Utah, where he faces three counts of aggravated murder.
During Friday's hearing, Judge Edwards set Miller's cash bond at $20,000. Prosecutors argued he posed an extreme risk to the public and was a flight risk. Even if Miller posts bond, he would remain in custody due to the Utah charges.
Background and Prior Legal Issues
Before the killing spree, Miller had been scheduled to appear in an Iowa courtroom on Friday for charges including theft, burglary, marijuana possession, and being ineligible to carry a gun. This case stemmed from a December incident where he was found inside a cabin at Lake Wapello State Park in Davis County, Iowa, with fully loaded rifles. Miller was released without bail on a promise to appear, according to a January 13 court order.
Miller is next scheduled to appear in court on April 10 for the Utah charges and again on May 14 for the Colorado case. The Daily Mail has reached out to Van Zandt and Wayne County District Attorney Michael Winn for further comment.
