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FARMINGTON -- The husband of a woman murdered almost 30 years ago is speaking out about accusations that he had something to do with it. The convicted killer said it was all part of a murder-for-hire plot.
But on Thursday, Davis County prosecutors announced they will not be filing charges against Steve Strom. They say there's no evidence that he had anything to with his wife's murder.
In a phone interview from his home in Nevada, Steve Strom told KSL News, "There was never any evidence that I had anything to do with her death, and there never will be because I did not."
For many years Steve Strom was a suspect in the 1980 murder of his wife. He has always maintained his innocent.
"I've had a lot of support from a lot of people that have integrity, and I guess that's how I lived this long," Strom said.
In 2007, 27 years after the murder, DNA evidence pointed to Steve Strom's co-worker, Ed Owens. Convicted of murder in April, Owens made a shocking confession two months later during his sentencing hearing.
Owens said he killed Karen Strom and that her husband offered him half the insurance money to kill his wife.
"That was totally unexpected, one thing we never expected him to do," said Woods Cross police Sgt. Brad Benson.
Woods Cross police investigated Owens' claims, but say they couldn't corroborate his story.
"His statements have not been consistent," Benson said. "He keeps changing his story. He just would not make a credible witness."
Karin Strom's sister, Coco Saltzgiver, says she's at peace with the decision prosecutors made.
On the phone, Saltzgiver, who lives in Colorado, told KSL News, "I know the person that physically killed my sister is in jail. I know he's the one that did it."
As for Steve Strom, Saltzgiver says her sister's headstone, which reads "Only God Knows," says it all.
Prosecutors don't think Steve Strom had anything to do with the murder. He says he's relieved, but that doesn't take away the pain of losing his wife.
"I think about her every day, and I will until I die," Steve Strom said.
There is no statute of limitations for murder, so prosecutors say if anyone comes forward with evidence against Steve Strom they can still file charges against him.
E-mail: syi@ksl.com
