News

Actions

Estranged couple dies in West Valley City murder-suicide

Posted at 8:50 AM, Jan 13, 2017
and last updated 2017-01-13 23:31:14-05

WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah — Another murder-suicide involving a husband and wife took place in Utah on Friday.

"These women are being ambushed, they are being stalked, they are being hunted down by partners that they left or are in the process of leaving," said Jenn Oxborrow with the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition.

Oxborrow said she's frustrated with watching women continue to die at the hands of their partner. The latest incident took place in the parking lot of H and E Equipment Services in West Valley City around 8 a.m. Police say the couple had no connection with the business and aren't even from West Valley City.

"They pulled in here, it appears that they were arguing in the car as they got here," said Lt. Jeff Conger. "She got out of the car, he started firing at her, from what the witnesses are telling us and then he shot himself."

48-year-old Louann Anderton, a mother and grandmother, was pronounced dead at the hospital. Her husband, 47-year-old Nolan Anderton, also died. According to court documents, the couple had filed for divorce in September.

Oxborrow said Friday's violence is part of a growing epidemic, in which 42 percent of Utah homicides involve an intimate partner. The national average is 30 percent.

"A third of the domestic violence homicides will end in a suicide as well," Oxborrow said.

Katherine Peralta was killed by her husband on December 29th. He found her at her job on the University of Utah campus. He then killed himself. They were also planning a divorce.

Just a few weeks earlier, Sue Ann Sands was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend in a Wal-Mart parking lot in American Fork. That suspect later died in a shootout with police.

"Most people think they are doing the right thing, they are meeting with people in a parking lot, in a park, in a store, in a public place," Oxborrow said. "They don't realize how dangerous the situation is."

Oxborrow said trying to get out of a troubled relationship is tough, but you don't have to do it alone and you shouldn't do it alone.

"If you are dealing with an abusive partner and that person has access to a firearm, you really need some careful help and planning for safety from a trained victim advocate," Oxborrow said.

The Anderton family declined to do an interview for this story.

As for the Utah Domestic Violence Coalition, they offer all sorts of services when it comes to people living among domestic violence. They can be reached at 801-521-5544. There is also a state wide hotline, 1-800-897-5465. You can also reach the coalition via their website.