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DELTA — A Delta woman has been arrested in connection with the death of a man who was at her home.
Bethany Ann Wright, 42, was booked into the Millard County Jail for investigation of negligent homicide, obstructing justice, drug possession with intent to distribute, marijuana possession, drug possession and child endangerment.
On Monday, 911 emergency dispatchers received a call from a man who said he was taking another man to the hospital in his car. "Once at the hospital, the (victim) was pronounced deceased," according to a police booking affidavit.
A preliminary examination suggested the victim, whose name and age have not yet been released, died of a possible drug overdose, according to the affidavit. But as investigators began taking a closer look at his body, they found multiple scratches and bumps.
"These scratches suggest possible signs of a physical altercation between (the victim) and an unknown person. Later I was notified that a doctor with Delta Community Medical Center observed bruising in (the victim's) eyes that the doctor reported has only seen with victims of head trauma," the arresting officer wrote in the affidavit.
A full autopsy by the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office was scheduled for Tuesday.
As deputies from the Millard County Sheriff's Office continued to investigate the death, they learned the victim had been at a residence in Delta occupied by Wright. They said they also learned that Wright had called another person — the man who drove the victim to the hospital — rather than call 911 herself.
"A search of the residence and vehicles caused more concern. Numerous items of illegal substances and paraphernalia to include marijuana and substantial amounts of methamphetamine, along with scales, pipes and small ziplock baggies were located throughout the residence," according to the arrest report.
Deputies also learned that the victim had brought his 4-year-old son to the residence, which Wright "seemed annoyed" about, admitting that her home "was not kid safe," the affidavit says.
When questioned, police say Wright gave inconsistent answers about where the victim's body was first discovered and who had been in the residence.
"It was then discovered that Bethany was not truthful about calling the third party immediately for help," the affidavit states. "It should also be known that nine minutes prior to asking the third party for help, Bethany asked him if she could come over and shower at his house. This time frame and the context of the message appears suspect. Bethany never gave us answers into these questions."
