Neighbors stunned Springville man accused of killing mother, other man

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Matthew Jacob Leonard, 28, was arrested in Springville for investigation of aggravated murder on Sunday.
Neighbors on Monday expressed shock over Leonard's arrest in connection to his mother's killing and another man's disappearance.
Police found significant blood evidence but have not located bodies.

SPRINGVILLE — Neighbors on Monday said they were stunned after learning a man who lived nearby had been arrested and accused of murder in connection with the disappearances of his mother and another man.

On Sunday, police said they had arrested 28-year-old Matthew Jacob Leonard for investigation of aggravated murder and obstruction of justice as well as drug and firearm offenses.

It was less than a week after the Springville Police Department posted on its Facebook page that it was looking for Sarah Johnson, Leonard's mother, who officers wrote was missing and possibly endangered.

"I don't even have the words to say," said neighbor Nathan Clark. "It's sad when anybody dies, and it's heartbreaking for everybody involved — the families especially."

According to jail documents as well as a police statement issued on Sunday, investigators said Leonard told officers it was "normal" for his mother to "disappear," and attempted calling the woman with officers present.

They said he filled out a missing person's packet to provide information for a National Crime Information Center listing for Johnson.

On April 6, however, police said that they received "unconfirmed information that Johnson and John Handricks had possibly been shot and killed."

Police said that witnesses told them Johnson and Handricks were last seen with Johnson's son at a home on March 20, and that they heard possible gunshots inside.

Investigators said after they obtained a search warrant and took Leonard into custody with the help of SWAT team members during a traffic stop, they searched the house and found evidence of blood as well as shell casings and a bullet slug.

"During the search of the northeast bedroom on April 11, 2026, detectives observed a drop of blood, and it tested positive for human blood," according to jail documents. "Law enforcement performed a light test of the northeast corner of the northeast bedroom and observed evidence of blood spatter on the walls."

Police said they further uncovered a "large pool of blood" on the east wall and another pool of blood on the north wall after removing the flooring. They also said they spotted evidence of attempts to clean up the blood, as well as holes in the drywall consistent with a .22 bullet being lodged into it.

"As of today's date, detectives have not yet located the bodies of the missing female and male," an officer wrote in the police booking affidavit. "But due to large amounts of blood, detectives find it probable that the missing female and male are deceased. Detectives find it probable Matthew disposed of the bodies and obvious attempts to clean up or conceal the scene of the crime."

"At the time, I just thought it was a drug bust, honestly," Clark said. "It shocks you."

In a separate jail document, police wrote that Leonard admitted to using and distributing illegal drugs inside his home, and he was booked for investigation of drug possession, possession with intent to distribute, use or possession of drug paraphernalia as well as prohibited dangerous weapon conduct.

"You never think somebody will do anything like that, but I don't know," said Amy Allen, who lives in the neighborhood. "It's pretty sad."

Allen said her family knew Leonard to an extent.

"He came to church with us for a while and had talked about just his past and trying to leave that behind and — sorry, this is going to make me cry," Allen said as she turned emotional. "(It's) really unfortunate."

Allen said she felt for the family.

"It's triple tragedy, right, with him having possibly done something like that and his mother and her friend," Allen said. "It's just awful."

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