Prosecutors want more time to file charges in arson death of John Williams

Prosecutors want more time to file charges in arson death of John Williams

(Chuck Wing, David Newkirk)


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SALT LAKE CITY — A man who was arrested Sunday in connection with the killing of prominent restaurant entrepreneur John W. Williams may remain in the Salt Lake County Jail without charges being filed for another week and a half.

Prosecutors filed a motion to continue holding the victim's estranged husband, Craig A. Crawford, behind bars while the Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office prepares formal criminal charges. The motion requests the hold on Crawford at the jail be extended until June 8.

Crawford, 47, was arrested for investigation of aggravated murder and aggravated arson. He was being held Friday on $1 million bail.

On May 22, Salt Lake fire crews were called to a fire at Williams' house, 574 N. East Capitol St. The body of Williams, the 72-year-old co-owner of Gastronomy Inc., was found on the upper level of the house.

On May 4, Williams filed for divorce from Crawford, according to court records. Two days later, he filed for an ex parte temporary restraining order against Crawford. It was denied by a judge.

Craig A. Crawford, 47
Craig A. Crawford, 47

On May 13, Crawford filed for a protective order against Williams, which was also denied, according to court records.

Salt Lake police said they believe Crawford and Williams still lived in the same house at the time of the fire. But when asked whether police had been called to the house recently for any domestic-related issues, the department declined to discuss that information, claiming "it could interfere with the investigation."

A public records request submitted by KSL asking for that information was also denied.

As of Friday, police had not released a possible cause of death for Williams or disclosed how the fire may have started. Investigators have only said there was evidence of a possible arson.

Crawford was allegedly seen walking back toward the house while it was engulfed in flames. He did not report the blaze to either the police or fire departments, a police report states.

Someone could be heard yelling for help from inside the house at some point, police say. However, the conditions of the fire prevented firefighters from being able to search the entire house until 30 to 45 minutes after crews arrived and had knocked down the flames. Attempts to revive Williams at the scene were unsuccessful.

Damage to the house was estimated at $750,000.

Domestic violence resources
Utah Domestic Violence Coalition operates a confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic abuse hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465).

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