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SPANISH FORK -- The Utah County Sheriff's Office is still investigating the November murder of former BYU professor Kay Mortensen. So far, no arrests have been made, but his son and daughter-in-law are persons of interest.
Detectives say they're working to solidify the case. They've conducted a few interviews with people who are connected to the other persons of interest.
On Monday, investigators released the 911 call made after Kay Mortensen was killed. They also named Kay Mortensen's son and daughter-in-law, Roger and Pamela Mortensen, as persons of interest.
Investigators say the couple made inconsistent statements and also refused to help with a composite sketch of the suspects.
Tuesday, KSL News talked to Roger Mortensen's best friend of six years. He didn't want to be identified, but says Roger Mortensen could never commit murder or associate with anyone who would.
"Even if he meets someone that he doesn't know that looks like a shady character, or something like that, he just won't even deal with them. He's like, you know, ‘I don't need that in my life,'" the friend says. "And that's exactly how he is. You know, if he can't tell right off the bat that you're a good person then he doesn't want nothin' to do with you."
According to that friend, Roger Mortensen has held callings in the LDS Church in the Primary and Elder's Quorum.
The friend also says Roger Mortensen sustained brain injuries in an off-roading accident and has no short-term memory. He says it may prevent him from accurately remembering what the suspects looked like that evening.
"He is a stand-up guy," the friend says. "I mean, he's -- in the five or six years I've known him -- he's been more of a dad to me than my own dad has in the 26 years I've been alive."
Court documents, however, show a different past. Roger Mortensen was charged with assault in Spanish Fork in 2003. That charge was dismissed after he entered a plea in abeyance.
Also, in 2000, Roger Mortensen was convicted of violating a protective order by harassing his ex-wife.
Sheriff's investigators say they have also met with the Utah County Attorney to discuss the case, but there is no word on if charges will be filed anytime soon.
E-mail: ngonzales@ksl.com
