Police: 2 dead in possible murder-suicide near Lake Powell

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GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA, Ariz. — Two people are dead in what is being investigated as a possible murder-suicide in an area near Lake Powell early Friday morning, authorities said.

Dispatchers for the National Park Service received a report at about 6 a.m. of a body found inside a vehicle in the Wahweap Swim Beach parking lot, which is located just south of the Utah-Arizona border, according to Kane County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Alan Alldredge.

Alldredge said a person walking toward the beach came across a parked vehicle and a female body inside. The body of a man was also found at the beach.

The two were later identified as Matthew Franklin, 37, and Raelle Begay, 25, from Page, Arizona. Alldredge said it appeared the two had been dating.

Witnesses told police they saw the two arguing in the parking lot at about 2 a.m. and that the case is being investigated as a possible murder-suicide, Alldredge said.

"Visiting with the people in the area and the crime scene itself would lend you to believe that it was most likely a murder-suicide," he said.

Coconino County (Arizona) Sheriff’s Office, Kane County (Utah) Sheriff’s Office and National Park Service Rangers each responded are investigating the case due to the location's proximity to the border.

Alldredge said Franklin's body was found in Utah jurisdiction and Begay's body was found on the Arizona side of the border. Franklin's body was taken to the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner in Salt Lake City and Begay's body was taken to a medical examiner's office in Flagstaff, Arizona.

"We'll each do an investigation on our scene," Alldredge said. "That information will be shared back and forth to make sure we're both coming up with the same conclusions."

Contributing: Brianna Bodily

Warning signs of suicide

Talking about wanting to die
Looking for a way to kill oneself
Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
Talking about being a burden to others
Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
Sleeping too little or too much
Withdrawing or feeling isolated
Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
Displaying extreme mood swings

The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide. Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

What to do if you see warning signs of suicide
Do not leave the person alone
Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional
Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, KSL encourages you to call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.
Crisis Hotlines
Utah County Crisis Line: 801-226-4433
Salt Lake County/UNI Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
Wasatch Mental Health Crisis Line: 801-373-7393
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386
Online resources
NAMI Utah: namiut.org
Utah Chapter-American Foundation for Suicide Prevention: afsputah.com
Suicide Prevention Lifeline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org