Police continuing to look for answers in apparent murder-suicide

LOGAN — Police continue to search for answers as they investigate the apparent murder-suicide of a Logan couple found Friday morning in their home.

Logan City Police Chief Gary Jensen said investigators have been able to determine that 82-year-old Dell Andrew Johnson shot and killed his wife, 73-year-old Mary Flynn Palley, before shooting himself. Both were found lying in a bed of their home at 1616 Sunset Drive.

Investigators reported there were no signs of struggling, leading them to believe that Johnson shot his wife while she was sleeping.

Officers did a welfare check at the couple’s residence after they received a letter written by Johnson, threatening a “tragedy.” The letter was originally sent to a local newspaper, who turned it over to police.

Jensen said when no one answered the door, officers obtained a judge’s warrant to be able to enter the home. Inside they found the two people dead. Detectives were then called in and obtained a search warrant to begin investigating.

Johnson’s letter made it sound like he was concerned about his wife’s medical issues and had made the decision to end their lives. Palley did not leave any letter or writings.

Family members told police that they felt Palley was recovering and that Johnson had been struggling with several local businesses and organizations, including the LDS Church.

Jensen explained that detectives are continuing to follow-up and question others that Johnson wrote about in his letter. They don’t believe there are any other substantial leads and expect to close the case in the upcoming weeks.

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