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Team coverageWe're learning more about the man who was behind the murder-suicide in South Salt Lake that left four people dead, including two children. And those who speak out against domestic violence say this is why victims should speak up and get out.
Family members say they feared for Tracie Williamson's safety with her boyfriend, Peter Perez. He ended up killing her, her daughter Linzie, his daughter Jessica, and himself inside their South Salt Lake home located near 2400 South and West Temple.
Williamson's family claims police did nothing despite evidence she was seeking help. Tracie Williamson's father claims he showed police a letter she had written fearing for her life, but police say that never happened. Police say officers checked in on Williamson several times, but she always indicated there were no problems.
Police say Williamson and her 10-year-old daughter were killed by her boyfriend, Peter Perez, who also killed his 1-year-old daughter before taking his own life. Police had spoken to Williamson in the past and say she never indicated any problems. They were back at her house May 10 to do a welfare check, but were unable to make contact with anyone. They checked again on Monday, but it was too late.
Williamson's family warned police about this man they thought was dangerous. But there was no action taken because there were no domestic calls, according to police, just calls from Williamson's family asking for police to check in on her.
It may be that she was afraid to go to the police, and experts say that's normal. But they also say there's no reason to hold out, even if you think you're unprepared.
Judy Kasten Bell of the Utah Domestic Violence Council said, "It's best to have a plan, but we do know that people wake up at 3:00 in the morning and decide they need to leave right then. They do, and that's when people come with nothing to the shelter."
Utah's Domestic Violence Council says shelters offer clothing, food, child advocates and help with protection. The council suggests packing a bag with medicines, important documents and other necessities and leaving it at a friend's house. That way the abuser won't suspect the victim is leaving.
Kasten Bell told KSL's Nightside Project people should listen to family if they're concerned. "They generally have picked up on the signs because they're standing a little bit back from the relationships. So they see all the warning signs that we talk about and they're calling and saying, ‘What can we do?'"
Meanwhile, we're learning more about the man behind the crime. Peter Perez has no prior criminal history involving violence, abuse or domestic violence. The only protective order involving him is actually one he took out against a former girlfriend he said was abusing him.
Court records show Perez was charged in April with having a stolen credit card and using a stolen ATM card.
E-mail: mrichards@ksl.com
E-mail: ngonzales @ksl.com
E-mail: dbrinkerhoff@ksl.com
