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Murders of Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner

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On August 18, 2021, the bodies of married American couple Kylen Schulte (September 5, 1996 – c. August 13, 2021) and Crystal Turner (December 30, 1982 – c. August 13, 2021)[1] were found in Moab, Utah, United States.[2] Both victims had been murdered and died from gunshot wounds. They had last been seen alive five days earlier. In December 2022, the case was closed and Adam Pinkusiewicz was cited as the murderer.[3]

Kylen Schulte
Born
Kylen Carrol Schulte

(1996-09-05)September 5, 1996
Vail, Eagle County, Colorado, U.S.
DiedAugust 13, 2021(2021-08-13) (aged 24)
Grand County, Utah, U.S.
Cause of deathGunshot wounds
Resting placeYellowstone Valley Memorial Park
NationalityAmerican
Known forVictim of homicide
Spouse
Crystal Turner
​
(m. 2021)​
Parents
  • Sean-Paul Schulte (father)
  • Valerie Schulte (mother)
Crystal Turner
Born
Crystal Michelle Turner

(1982-12-30)December 30, 1982
Hot Springs, Garland County, Arkansas, U.S.
DiedAugust 13, 2021(2021-08-13) (aged 38)
Grand County, Utah, U.S.
Cause of deathGunshot wounds
NationalityAmerican
Known forVictim of homicide
Spouse
Kylen Schulte
​
(m. 2021)​
Parents
  • Obie Turner (father)
  • Beverly Turner (mother)

Background

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The women were married on April 20, 2021, and often camped with their pet rabbit Ruth.[4] Two days before they were reported missing, Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito were stopped by officers of the Moab City Police Department. This fueled speculation of a connection between the cases.[5]

Murders

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Schulte and Turner were last seen the night of August 13, 2021, at a bar in Moab around 9:30 pm.[6] The women were described as being deeply in love, with focus and attention mostly on each other. Witnesses said that no one had followed them out of the bar.[7] After the couple had been out of contact for three days, a local friend received a phone call from Schulte's father, who lives in Montana. The father reported that the couple had moved their campsite, due to a "creeper dude" of whom they were scared.[4] The friend went looking for the couple's campsite in the La Sal Mountains near Moab on August 18, 2021, and was on the phone with Schulte's father when she discovered Schulte's remains.[6][8][9]

The friend later told reporters that she feared for her safety after discovering Schulte's remains. She called the police and did not continue to search for Turner. Turner's remains were also discovered, right near Schulte's remains.[10] Both women were discovered undressed from the waist down in a creek close to the campsite, with multiple gunshot wounds on their backs, sides, and/or chests.[11]

Investigation

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Responding police found a Kia Sorento, a camping tent, long-term camping tools and supplies, and a makeshift rabbit shelter when they arrived at the scene.[6] They obtained a search warrant for another vehicle; a 1987 Ford Econoline that had been left in the parking lot and later towed. Inside the Ford, they found personal documents and a Bible.[11]

In October 2021, authorities released an affidavit for a search warrant that had been signed in September 2021 and executed within twenty-four hours. It included an investigation into a cell tower at Jimmy Keen Flats, near the campsite between August 13 and 15, only for phones within a 2 mi (3.2 km) radius of the crime scene.[12][13]

In January 2022, the police announced they had identified a person of interest in the case, but he was cleared the following month.[14]

In March 2022, a private investigator who volunteered to help Schulte's father[15] claimed that law enforcement had obtained an audio recording from near the crime scene, on which gunshots and screams can be heard. Authorities admitted to the audio's existence, and confirmed that shots can be heard on it, but did not confirm that "screams" are heard. The private investigator also alleged that the audio was recorded at 11:35 a.m. on August 14, 2021, the morning after Turner and Schulte were last seen alive. Police confirmed the date, but would not reveal the time of day.[16]

In May 2022, police confirmed there was a likely suspect in the murders named Adam Pinkusiewicz. However, he was reported to have left the state and killed himself after the murders.[17] Pinkusiewicz reportedly confessed to another person[18] and provided details that had not been made public. The motive for the murders remains unknown.[19] According to Schulte's father, the police also found evidence at the crime scene pointing to Pinkusiewicz.[20]

Reactions

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The first news release by the Grand County Sheriff's Office, issued on August 19, 2021, claimed that there was "no current danger to the public".[21] This claim was met with skepticism by friends of the couple who believe the statement was to protect the tourism industry while investigating the case.[4] There was also speculation that suspected murderer Brian Laundrie might be connected to the murders. On August 12—the day before Schulte and Turner were last seen alive—Laundrie was confronted by police for allegedly slapping Gabby Petito in front of the Moonflower Community Cooperative in Moab, where Kylen Schulte worked as a cashier.[22] Law enforcement ruled out any connection between the two cases.[12][23]

Schulte's family started a fundraiser[24] to help cover funeral costs for her and have directed others to a separate fundraiser for Turner after the fundraiser reached its goal.[6]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Sharma, Sakshi (May 17, 2023). "Who is Crystal Turner? Biography, Wiki, Age, Wife, Family, Missing, Death, Obituary & More". Timepostings. Archived from the original on June 11, 2023. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
  2. ^ Li, David K. (August 23, 2021). "2 newlywed women found shot to death at their Utah campsite". NBC News. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  3. ^ "Utah authorities close double murder case of newlywed couple". WMAR 2 News Baltimore. December 30, 2022. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Aaron, Rick (August 20, 2021). "'Neither one deserved this': Homicide investigation causing concern, heartache in Moab". ABC4 Utah. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  5. ^ Bink, Addy (October 18, 2021). "Private investigator 'can't rule out' connection between Brian Laundrie, Moab double homicide". ABC News. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d Bink, Addy (September 9, 2021). "New details released in murder of couple near Moab". ABC4 Utah. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  7. ^ Bink, Addy (October 3, 2021). "Second $10K reward offered as investigation of Moab double homicide continues". ABC4 Utah. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  8. ^ Facer, Austin (August 18, 2021). "Update: Police identify bodies found near Moab, open homicide investigation". ABC4 Utah. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  9. ^ "Who killed Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner?". Court TV. January 24, 2022. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via YouTube.
  10. ^ Ruiz, Michael (September 17, 2021). "Moab murders: What happened to Crystal Turner and Kylen Schulte after Aug. 13?". Fox News. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
  11. ^ a b Curtis, Larry D. (September 9, 2021). "Warrants in Moab murders reveal second vehicle, multiple gunshots, 'creepy man'". KUTV. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  12. ^ a b Bink, Addy (November 2, 2021). "'We know nothing': Questions remain in the double homicide of Kylen Schulte, Crystal Turner". ABC4 Utah. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  13. ^ Nelson, Paul (October 27, 2021). "Grand County seeking digital evidence connected to double killing". ksl.com. Retrieved November 24, 2021.
  14. ^ Tavass, Jeff. "Man cleared, no longer suspect in the murder of Crystal Turner and Kylen Schulte". Fox 13. Retrieved March 26, 2022 – via The Salt Lake Tribune.
  15. ^ Drake, Phil. "Helena man searches for clues after daughter killed in Utah". KULR-8 Local News. Archived from the original on May 12, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  16. ^ "The Justice Files: Audio of shots fired revealed in Moab murder investigation". ABC4 Utah. March 12, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  17. ^ Drake, Phil (May 17, 2022). "Suspect in Utah death of former Montana woman and spouse kills self". Eastern Progress. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  18. ^ Suspect identified in Grand County double murder, May 11, 2022, retrieved May 15, 2023
  19. ^ Woodruff, Daniel (May 11, 2022). "Suspect identified in Grand County double murder case". KUTV. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  20. ^ Ortiz, Marcos (August 9, 2022). "The Justice Files: Father of a murdered woman confident who killed her". abc4 Utah. Retrieved September 3, 2022.
  21. ^ "Grand County, UT". Grand County, UT. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  22. ^ Harford, Alison; Fixsen, Rachel. "A month on, the Moab community mourns murdered couple: Local businesses offer a reward, memorial service held Friday". Moab Sun News. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  23. ^ Proffer, Craig (September 17, 2021). "Police: Gabby Petito disappearance, double homicide of Moab couple 'not related'". ABC4 Utah. Retrieved March 26, 2022.
  24. ^ "Father seeking clues from the community after daughter murdered outside of Moab". Fox 13 News. September 22, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2022 – via YouTube.
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