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RICHFIELD — A Richfield man was arrested Thursday after a body, who police believe is his wife, was discovered.
Melanie Layton Callison, 46, of Richfield was reported missing on Sept. 25 by a family member, according to a Sevier County Sheriff’s Office news release. She was last seen in Richfield by her physician on Sept. 11, the release said.
The couple, who live in Richfield, had married on April 25, according to Melanie Callison's Facebook page. Several pictures of the couple were posted on the social media page, as well as a picture of Melanie Callison's tattoo reading "Property of Big Ed till death," taken on May 10. Court records indicate Edward Callison filed for divorce on Monday.
Melanie’s husband, 59-year-old Edward Callison, told family members that his wife had gone to California. However, during the investigation, Edward Callison “made several inconsistent statements” to family members and investigators from the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office and Richfield City Police Department, the release said.
"(Her family) thought it was just odd that she would leave without telling them, and our detectives have been working on the case ever since," according to Sevier County Sheriff Nathan Curtis.
Thursday, detectives interviewed Edward Callison about his wife’s disappearance and he told them “what had happened at the location of the crime scene,” the sheriff’s office said. Detectives and members from the Utah State Crime Lab and Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office went to the scene in Sevier County and discovered human remains which they believe to be Melanie Callison.
Investigators found the body near a campground less than a mile off state Route 24, Curtis said.
Police are still unsure about a motive in the killing, Curtis said.
"He didn't really tell us that he had planned on it. It was just interesting," Curtis said. "What was suspicious to us was the inconsistencies in his story. As to his motive, I have no idea."
While Edward Callison is communicating with police, Curtis said he "has tried to intentionally mislead us."
Edward Callison was arrested and booked into the Sevier County Jail in connection with the investigation with pending charges. The investigation is ongoing and more information will be posted as it becomes available.
A search of court records indicate Edward Callison pleaded guilty in 2013 to unlawful possession of a financial card and identity fraud, both third-degree felonies, and class B misdemeanor theft in 2007. He divorced from a previous wife in 2006.
