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PROVIDENCE, Cache County — A Cache County woman who police say was shot and killed by her estranged husband had filed for a protective order against him and the two were in court just a day before the tragedy, according to court documents.
Late Friday, the Cache County Sheriff’s Office said Matthew David Bentley, 38, of Providence, shot and killed Heidi Lynn Bentley, 38, of Providence, in an apartment and then fatally shot himself at another location.
In a press release issued Saturday, the sheriff’s office called Matthew Bentley the ex-husband. Court records state that Bentley had just filed for divorce from his wife on July 20.
Heidi Bentley filed for a protective order against her husband on July 15, court records state. During a hearing on Thursday, attorneys stated in court that both parties had agreed to amend the temporary protective order, according to court docket. The two sides then agreed to add “supervisors for parent time,” the docket states.
The next court hearing on the protective order was scheduled for Aug. 27.
In a statement released Sunday, the sheriff’s office said “law enforcement has responded to calls for service between both parties” over the past few weeks.
“These cases along with other information are being reviewed as this investigation continues,” the sheriff’s office stated, while adding that a motive for the murder-suicide was not immediately known.
Heidi Bentley’s family released a short statement Sunday through the sheriff’s office.
“At this time, we would like to express our deep gratitude to the Cache County Sheriff’s Office, Cache County Attorney Victim Services along with all the other agencies that have worked on this tragic event as it unfolded. We are so grateful to the community who mourns with us during this difficult time. Our hearts are broken, and at this time, we ask to please respect our privacy as we grieve.”
About 11:45 p.m. Friday, the sheriff’s office was called to Heidi Bentley’s apartment after a person who was on the phone with Heidi Bentley heard her scream “No” followed by what sounded like gunshots, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies arrived to find her deceased.
They immediately began searching for Michael Bentley at places he was known to frequent. After pinpointing his location, a SWAT team surrounded the residence and eventually sent in a robot that confirmed he was dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Domestic violence resources
Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah's confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
- YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
- Utah's statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
