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HELPER — A Helper man was charged Friday with murder after police say he shot and killed a woman inside his home.
Matthew Frank Juliano, 39, is charged in 7th District Court with murder and shooting at another person causing injury, first-degree felonies; and drug possession, a class A misdemeanor.
Juliano is accused of shooting and killing a 64-year-old woman. Police have not released the woman's name, but charging documents indicate the shooting was a domestic violence-related incident.
The investigation began Monday when Juliano called police saying he needed an officer and then hung up. He then called and hung up two more times, saying during the third call that "an accident had happened," according to a police booking affidavit.
When officers arrived at the Helper home, 40 Garden Street, Juliano "was behaving erratically and would not answer direct questions," police noted.
"Matthew instructed me to go into the back room and pointed me to a bedroom that was not lit," the affidavit states. "I asked Matthew if someone was hurt and he stated someone was. I asked Matthew who was hurt, and he eventually told me it was (the victim). I asked Matthew if he had hurt (the victim) and he nodded in the affirmative."
A woman was found deceased on a bed inside the room with a gunshot wound to her head, police said.
Juliano refused to answer additional questions and was arrested. While being booked into jail, he was found to be in possession of fentanyl pills, according to police.
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
