Man accused of killing parents in Delta

DELTA, Millard County — A Millard County couple is dead and their son is in custody and accused of stabbing them to death in what the sheriff's office called a "highly violent and aggressive" incident.

Rett Mikel Riding, 26, was arrested Saturday night for investigation of two counts of aggravated murder and two counts of aggravated kidnapping.

Patricia Smith Riding, 69, called 911 just before 11 p.m. Saturday to report her son, Rett Riding, "was being erratic and had taken herself and her husband hostage. She stated Rett was trying to put them in a shed but that she got away to call 911," according to a police booking affidavit.

At one point during the call, Patricia Riding screamed and then said, "'He's coming.' There appeared to be a struggle between the male subject and the female prior to the call going quiet," the affidavit states.

The first responding deputy arrived five minutes later and found Rett Riding in the driveway.

"The deputy asked Rett who else was at the home and Rett stated, 'No one.' The deputy observed blood on Rett's hands and his pants. Just then the deputy observed a male subject on the south deck/porch lying on the ground unconscious. The deputy then commanded Rett to get down and on the ground at gunpoint," according to the affidavit.

Neal Jeffery Riding, 62, a 26-year-member of the West Millard Sheriff's Posse Search and Rescue, was found lying unconscious on the ground nearby, said Millard County Sheriff Steve O'Camb. CPR was performed, but Riding died on the scene. Patricia Riding was also pronounced dead on the scene. Both had stab wounds, the affidavit states.

"A large kitchen knife was located just inside of the residence near the doorway to the porch, covered in blood," according to the affidavit. "This incident was highly violent and aggressive."

The affidavit notes that on Friday, a family member received a message from Patricia Riding "stating Rett was beginning to be very erratic and mentioned being scared.

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