Utah County man charged in 2nd of 2 'purge' killings

The 4th District Courthouse in Provo is pictured on Nov. 12, 2020. A man already charged with aggravated murder for allegedly killing a stranger in Weber County is now facing a second murder charge in connection with the death of a Spanish Fork man.

The 4th District Courthouse in Provo is pictured on Nov. 12, 2020. A man already charged with aggravated murder for allegedly killing a stranger in Weber County is now facing a second murder charge in connection with the death of a Spanish Fork man. (Kristin Murphy, Deseret News)


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SPANISH FORK — A Utah County man suspected of killing two people at random in separate counties has now been charged in connection with both crimes.

Christian Francis Taele, 28, of Lake Shore, was charged Wednesday in 4th District Court with murder, a first-degree felony. Taele was previously charged on July 12 with aggravated murder, a first-degree felony, in 2nd District Court, in connection with a killing that happened the day after the Utah County incident.

In his new charge, Taele is accused of killing Ryan Hooley, 49, of Spanish Fork, on July 8. On that day, police were called to the area of 400 East and 1000 North where Hooley's body was found near a dumpster behind a business, according to charging documents. Detectives believe Hooley died from blunt force trauma and from being stabbed just after midnight, the charges state.

Taele later told investigators that "he did not know (Hooley) but intended to kill him" when he punched and stabbed him, according to charges.

The next day, on July 9, Ogden police were called to an apartment complex at 2433 Adams Ave. They found a 23-year-old man in the gym area, "partially hanging by the neck from a piece of gym equipment," according to a police booking affidavit.

Taele was arrested for allegedly killing Tyler Belinti, another victim he did not know, according to police. After his arrest in Ogden, Taele also told detectives he was responsible for Hooley's death, the charges state.

"Christian stated that he killed both the victim in Spanish Fork and in Ogden because he was directed to by a higher power and to 'purge' the city," according to the affidavit, "and has stated that he feels no remorse for the killings."

Taele's next scheduled court hearing in Weber County is on Sept. 8 for a competency review.

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Pat Reavy is a longtime police and courts reporter. He joined the KSL.com team in 2021, after many years of reporting at the Deseret News and KSL NewsRadio before that.

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