Missing Tooele mother of 2 found dead in Salt Lake City

TOOELE — The body of a missing Utah mother was discovered in Salt Lake City on Tuesday night, Tooele police said.

Salt Lake City police located the vehicle that belonged to Karen Crawford, 43, somewhere within city limits shortly after 10 p.m., Tooele police wrote in a statement. Foul play is not suspected.

"Our hearts are with Ms. Crawford's family and loved ones at this time as they navigate this time of grieving," the agency wrote.

Crawford was seen leaving work around 11 a.m. on Feb. 15. A short time later, she made a purchase in the Murray area near the Fashion Place Mall but then disappeared.

"No activity on her card, no communications, we don't know if her phone is off or it's dead," said her sister Christy Johnson. "It's very scary to not be able to talk to her, to not be able to reach her," said Johnson.

Crawford's family had asked for the public's help in locating her. Johnson describes her sister as a loving and kind mother and wife who in recent months began to really struggle with her mental health. Johnson says her sister recently moved into a new home and underwent foot surgery.

"Getting rest, advocating for your needs, that would be something Karen would struggle with. She wouldn't be able to say I need a break and stop," Johnson said.

Johnson said on the surface you wouldn't know her sister is struggling with mental health. She said her sister is a talented writer with a witty and engaging personality.

"She is funny, she's happy, she can light up a room, and she'll do anything for anybody," Johnson said.

In recent weeks, Johnson says Crawford attempted self-harm. Johnson says her sister was receiving help from medical professionals and taking medication, but now fears she's in crisis once again.

"Mental illness is extremely difficult; they can have all the love and support in the world but finding that right balance of medication and support is really hard," Johnson said.

Crawford was listed as a missing person with the Tooele Police Department. Cpl. Colbey Bentley said detectives were collaborating with Murray police, where Crawford's credit card was last used, to gather any leads. Johnson said she wished they could do more.

"We know law enforcement is doing what they can, but it's like a needle in a haystack and we don't know where to look for her. It's hell," she said.

Johnson said she also feared that because of Crawford's age and mental health history, her sister's disappearance wouldn't get the attention it needed. She wants Utah lawmakers to look at cases like Crawford's and see the need for a statewide alert that would go out to all law enforcement, notifying them of a missing adult experiencing a mental health crisis.

"We have Amber Alerts for missing children, we have Silver Alerts for seniors with dementia, I think we need to have an alert for someone that is a vulnerable adult with mental illness, that could self-harm or harm others, I don't know why we don't have that. We need it," Johnson said.

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