Chilling final Instagram post of wealthy Mormon, 57, before he shot his wife dead then killed himself at their stunning $1.5M Utah home, leaving their six kids orphaned
A wealthy Mormon father posted a chilling final Instagram post before shooting his wife and killing himself in their beautiful $1.5 million home in Utah.
Olin Johnson, 57, of American Fork, Utah, shot and killed his 52-year-old wife Kerilyn Johnson before turning the gun on himself. This tragedy left six children orphaned.
In his final social media post on Wednesday, just a day before his suicide, Johnson wrote: “No matter how worthless I am, motorcycles always love me. Oh and skiing. I love skiing too.”
Johnson could be seen wearing his helmet while riding his Triumph motorcycle, one of his favorite hobbies.
Two of his children responded directly to their father’s post.
Olin Johnson, 57, of American Fork, Utah, shot and killed his 52-year-old wife Kerilyn Johnson before turning the gun on himself
In his final social media post on Wednesday, just a day before his suicide, Johnson wrote: “No matter how worthless I am, motorcycles always love me. Oh and skiing. I love skiing too.”
Two of his children, son Dillon Bay, and daughter Savanna, responded directly to their father’s post and told him how much they loved him
The couple’s bodies were discovered by relatives at 12:40 a.m. Thursday in their $1.5 million home in American Fork, Utah.
“You’re not a worthless person. You are the best dad in the world,” wrote one of his sons, Dillon Bay.
“I love you daddy and loved that you taught me how to be a badass and ride motorcycles!” daughter, Savanna added.
No motive has yet been given for the murder-suicide and it is unclear whether the Instagram post was a reference to marital problems.
Online, Olin seemed to love his family. “Father of six wonderful children and one beautiful wife,” he wrote on his Instagram profile.
The couple seemed to have it all, not least their beautiful family home in the middle of rural Utah.
Their social media pages are evidence of a life well lived, spending a lot of time with their children, some of whom were married.
The couple also wanted to take time for themselves and enjoy time alone away from their family as they vacationed in Europe, Australia and other parts of the United States. The outdoors was always a priority for the couple.
While Olin focused on his business and outdoor activities, especially cycling and skiing, his wife Kerilyn enjoyed cooking, spending time with her children and even going on stage to sing in musicals with local amateur theater companies.
But behind the scenes he appeared to be in turmoil, although the reason for his shocking act of violence remains unknown.
The couple is surrounded by their six children, along with other family members
To the outside world, the couple appeared to have a loving relationship in which they traveled together and participated in outdoor activities
Police rushed to the scene of the sprawling family home just after 12:40 a.m. Thursday after receiving reports that two people had been shot after the bodies were discovered by another family member.
“Based on the investigation, it appears that Olin fatally shot Kerilyn before fatally shooting himself,” the Fork Police Department said in a statement.
“We don’t know exactly what led up to this, but he shot her twice and then shot himself, ending his life,” American Fork Police Lt. Stuart Fore said.
Olin and Kerilyn Johnson are pictured with two of their younger children on a walk
Kerilyn seemed to be a good cook as she took care of her family of eight
Fore also said there were no signs of a struggle or argument before the killings.
He declined to provide further details about the crime scene.
“At this time, the family requests privacy as they mourn their loss. We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of Olin and Kerilyn,” the Fork Police Department said in a statement, later classifying the two deaths as murder-suicide.
“Kerilyn was literally one of the most generous, kind and supportive people I have ever known,” said Gayle Lockwood, a retired singing teacher at Bringham Young University who had Johnson as a student.
“She is a light that will be missed in the world,” Lockwood said CUTV.
Olin loved getting out on the open road and riding his Triumph motorcycle
Johnson’s job involving shooting range construction also saw him acquire quite a collection of guns, many of which were also photographed and displayed on his Instagram account.
Kerilyn Johnson herself was a voice coach and singing teacher at BYU and mentored hundreds of people in Utah County.
“My hope is that people will continue to think and pray for her family,” Lockwood said. “These children will need a lot of love and support for a long time.”
Kerilyn’s husband, Olin Johnson, ran his own company, Simtek Modular, which specialized in creating small arms shooting ranges that could be used for military and police training.
Olin was also known as an outdoor enthusiast with a penchant for mountaineering, rock climbing, caving, mountain biking and dirt bike riding.
Through his work building shooting ranges he also acquired quite a collection of weapons, many of which were also photographed and displayed on his Instagram account.
a GoFundMe was set up for the six Johnson children left behind. The six range in age from late teens to adults.