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Neighbor speaks after son allegedly murders father in Smithfield

Posted at 10:36 PM, Apr 28, 2016
and last updated 2016-04-29 23:35:38-04

SMITHFIELD, Utah — The Cache County Sheriff's Office has identified the man who was stabbed to death at his Smithfield home Thursday evening as 58-year-old Calvin Leon Hallstrom, and on Friday neighbors spoke about the family at the center of the alleged crime.

Deputies said they have arrested 25-year-old Shane Alan Hallstrom, Calvin's son, for the murder.

Police were called about an altercation at a home near 400 E. 160 S. and said they found Calvin in his driveway, bleeding profusely from the neck.

Calvin was unresponsive and rushed to the hospital where he later died from multiple stab wounds to his neck.

Smithfield stabbing mapSmithfield officers said they found Shane kneeling in the roadway just feet from his father.
Officers took him in for questioning and have since arrested him on suspicion of first-degree felony murder.

Police said Shane hasn't talked since his arrest. Authorities said when they arrested the man he had, "What officers observed was a blank stare. I guess you could say the thousand-yard stare."

According to the Smithfield City Police:

Shane’s mother and father divorced many years ago and live at separate addresses.  On the afternoon of April 28, 2016, Shane and Calvin made arrangements to meet at the incident address.  We believe they were planning to leave and spend the evening with each other.  Calvin arrived at the home where he met Shane outside.  At some point prior to them leaving, Shane produced a knife and stabbed Calvin multiple times in the neck.  Calvin collapsed to the ground and Shane remained on scene.  The first officers arrived within minutes of the incident taking place.  The incident was witnessed by other people in the area.

Investigators have the knife they said was likely used in the stabbing as well as other evidence. Deputies have not said what may have led up to the stabbing.

Christine Hall is a friend of the family, and she said her thoughts go out to the victim's wife, Ladene Hallstrom.

"I just feel bad for Ladene having to deal with this tragedy," she said.

Hall said that Calvin Hallstrom moved to Logan after the couple's divorce.

"We don’t see him at all, he hasn’t come around for years," she said.

The death comes several months after the family endured another tragedy. Seven months ago, Ladene's daughter and Shane's sister, Ashley Hallstrom, ended her life by stepping into traffic in Logan. Before her death, Ashley published a letter describing her experiences as a transgender woman, and that letter went viral.

Hall said the murder of a father by his son is a tragedy no mother would want to endure.

"I hope the neighborhood rallies around her and gives her the support she needs," she said.