GRAND COUNTY, Utah — The Grand County Sheriff's Office has identified a suspect in the double murder of a married couple outside Moab last August.
In a release Wednesday, Adam Pinkusiewicz was named the suspect connected to the deaths of Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner. The couple's bodies were found on Aug. 18 at a campsite in the South Mesa area of the La Sal Mountains.
According to the sheriff's office, Pinkusiewicz told another person that he had killed the women and had provided details that only investigators were aware of.
Pinkusiewicz later died by suicide at in September 2021, about a month after the murders of the two women, after leaving the state.
"He was one that we were trying to follow up with for a long time," said Sheriff Steven White with the Grand County Sheriff's Office. "We'd reached some information of where we thought he was at which it turned out where we went... we located his car and that's when we found out he had committed suicide."
Watch: Grand County Sheriff's Office provides update into double murder investigation:
Officials say Pinkusiewicz was a former employee at the McDonald's in Moab where Turner also worked. At the time of the murders, he was identified as a person of interest.
"The indications we have is we don't know if they ever worked shifts together," White said. "It doesn't seem like it."
Investigators are now processing "critical and newly discovered evidence," including Pinkusiewicz's car, a 2007 Yaris after it was located and seized.
The weapon Pinkusiewicz may have used to kill the women has not yet been recovered, Sheriff White explained.
White said Pinkusiewicz lived a "van lifestyle" and had only been in the Moab area for a few months.
"He was one of these guys where he kind of camped out everywhere," White said. "I think his address here was the post office."
White gave thanks to the FBI, Unified Police violent crimes task force, the county attorney's office and the SBI for their assistance in the case.
"It's been a team effort and we'll continue to do so," he said.
Sheriff Rosie Rivera with the Unified Police Department said they were "honored" to lend support during the investigation.
"Sheriff Steve White's team worked tirelessly on this case utilizing every resource available to them, including the UPD Violent Crimes Unit," the statement reads in part. "Our hearts are with the families of Kylen and Crystal and we hope that these answers will bring some measure of closure to them and the Moab community."
He also thanked the public for their continued support throughout the investigation of this case.
The breakthrough in the case is just one step in a long road ahead. White said he feels a weight has been lifted.
"I will feel better when we have a total closure on this, but it's a huge relief," explained White. "I can't put it into words right now."
The sheriff's office said the investigation is ongoing and asks anyone with information on Pinkusiewicz or his vehicle to contact the department by calling 435-259-8115
