He Murdered His Mother and 8-year Old Brother in Cold Blood

A 17-year-old Utah boy is accused of killing his mother and 8-year-old half-brother after investigators allegedly captured a masked figure matching his build walking through the neighborhood following a late-night argument and shooting.

Saratoga Springs police arrested the teenager Aug. 14 after a 17-month investigation that included dozens of search warrants, hundreds of pieces of evidence and extensive forensic testing.

Police said detectives screened two counts of first-degree murder with the Utah County Attorney’s Office. Prosecutors later charged the teen in juvenile court with two counts of aggravated murder and obstruction of justice. The state is expected to seek a transfer of the case to adult district court.

Because he is a juvenile, his identity has not been released.

Police responded to the family's home on Willowbrook Lane on March 28, 2025, after receiving a medical-assistance call. They found Jessica Orton Lyman, 44, and Eli Painter, 8, suffering from gunshot wounds. Both victims died despite efforts to save them.

According to charging documents, a neighboring surveillance camera captured what investigators believe was an argument between the victims and the teenager around 11:30 p.m.

A woman's voice believed to be Lyman's could allegedly be heard shouting, "What are you doing?" Less than two minutes later, investigators say three gunshots were recorded, with one shot followed by a brief pause and two more in rapid succession.

The teenager later acknowledged that he had argued with his mother that night, according to KSL.

Investigators also reviewed surveillance footage showing a masked person walking through the neighborhood between approximately 2:34 a.m. and 2:59 a.m. Prosecutors allege the person's height and build were consistent with the teen's, while the mask and clothing appeared similar to items he had previously worn.

Investigators believe the route taken by the masked figure and gaps in the surveillance footage could indicate where a weapon was discarded, including possible locations near the Jordan River.

FBI and Saratoga Springs police dive teams searched the river and surrounding banks for evidence. Police said they had not recovered a firearm connected to the killings, although two BB guns were found in the teenager's bedroom.

The case also includes alleged forensic evidence. Charging documents say gunshot residue was found on multiple pieces of clothing, including clothing the teen wore the morning the victims were discovered.

Investigators also allegedly found the teen's DNA beneath one victim's fingernails and on the waistband of shorts Lyman was wearing when she died.

A previously unsealed search warrant described handwritten notes investigators allegedly found in the teenager's bedroom containing references to "serology," "DNA" and "firearm testing." One note reportedly stated, "This is a murder story."

Police said the investigation required extensive work, including interviews, surveillance review, evidence collection and forensic testing. Investigators executed dozens of search warrants and submitted numerous pieces of evidence to forensic laboratories during the 17-month probe.

"As additional evidence and forensic results became available, detectives continued to evaluate and corroborate the information developed throughout the investigation," Saratoga Springs Police Chief Andrew Burton said after the arrest.