- A Millard County man, Jay Dean Stevens, killed his grandmother, Colleen Halsey.
- Stevens then died by self-inflicted gunshot; his 23-month-old daughter's cause of death is pending.
- The tragic incident has left the community mourning and seeking answers.
FLOWELL, Millard County — A Millard County man shot and killed his grandmother before turning the gun on himself, the Millard County Sheriff's Office announced Monday night.
A total of three people were found dead Thursday in a home in Flowell, an unincorporated area west of I-15 and between Fillmore and Delta, including a 1-year-old girl. On Monday, the sheriff's office announced the deceased were Jay Dean Stevens, 28, his grandmother Collen Foutz Halsey, 67, and Stevens' daughter, 23-month-old Harper Helena Stevens.
"Both adults died of apparent gunshot wounds," the sheriff's office said. "Features of the incident indicate thus far that Jay Stevens is responsible for the death of his grandmother, Colleen Halsey, and evidence suggests Jay's cause of death was due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound."
The cause of death for Harper Stevens, however, is "unknown currently" pending autopsy results, according to the sheriff's office.
"This incident rises to every level of tragedy. We are brokenhearted for family members who mourn these losses as they yet prepare for memorial services. We ask all to respect their privacy and feelings. We also ask for continued patience and understanding as we continue to investigate toward an explanation of the event in so far as one can be reached. We are aware of the speculation going on about much of the incident and ask that we be allowed to complete the investigation. As we do so, and further information becomes available, we will provide further updates," the department said.
The investigation began about 8:30 p.m. Thursday when deputies were called to the home on a report of multiple deaths. The sheriff's office has not said who called police. It was not immediately known if all three lived in the same home.
In her obituary, Harper is remembered as being "endlessly funny, incredibly smart, and full of personality. She was always finding a way to make those around her laugh or smile. Whether she was babbling with attitude or showing off her clever little ways. She reminded us daily how joy can live in the smallest moments. She is deeply loved and will be missed by many."
A viewing for Harper is scheduled for Monday at the Olpin Stevens Funeral Home in Fillmore. A celebration of life will be held on her birthday, Aug. 18.
Halsey is remembered as "a wonderful grandmother, and one of the most loving great-grandmothers she could possibly be to 'the little ones.' It gave her great pleasure and warmed her heart when her great granddaughter little Harper would call her 'GG,'" according to her obituary.
"A good time with her grandson, Jay, would be filling up a shopping cart loaded with John Deere 'Green Stuff' and over time the both of them had collected a lot," the obituary continued. "If we could ask Colleen right now what made her happy and feel complete, she would definitely say being with and connected to her precious family, her pride and joy. She would tell us all to look beyond the good, the bad and yes, the ugly, and into the eternities and then say, 'It was and is all worth it.'"
Jay Stevens is remembered by family members as loving the outdoors.
"He acquired a love for nature, the green rolling hills and valleys to the beautiful and majestic mountains that framed gorgeous sunsets and provided a place for wildlife, trees and birds, all of it to his liking," his obituary states. "He got dubbed with the nickname of 'Jay Bird,' which was appropriate as he was very fond of all birds and it just might be that's why he landed in Fillmore.
"The best parts of him will always stay, he touched and blessed our lives deeply, and we will miss deeply."
A combined funeral service for both Halsey and Harper will be held Friday at the Flowell Ward of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Fillmore.
