Police reveal disturbing clues found inside home after mom and son, 8, were found shot dead
Topics: Utah, Crime, True crime
Emily Brown
Featured Image Credit: GoFundMe
Topics: Utah, Crime, True crime
Newly unsealed police warrants have shed light on the evidence found by detectives investigating the deaths of a Utah mom and her eight-year-old son on March 28.
Mom-of-three Jessica Lyman, 44, was found dead alongside her son, Eli Painter, at their home in Saratoga Springs, Utah after police responded to a call from her 17-year-old daughter.
At the time, the teenager reported that she'd found her mom and the eight-year-old lying on the floor, covered in blood.
Eli was pronounced dead at the scene after being shot twice with what was described as a 'small caliber round', while Lyman was rushed to hospital and died of her injuries two days later.
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According to warrants from the crime scene obtained by PEOPLE, Lyman was found at the home with her underwear 'pulled around her knees'.
A search of the scene also found what was described in the warrant as 'dried [genetic material] on the sheets adjacent to where Jessica had been lying', People reports.
No suspect has been named in the case at the time of writing (July 11), and DNA testing is still underway.
Lyman's other child, a 15-year-old boy, was interviewed by police following the attack and said he hadn't heard anything out of the ordinary.
When asked if there were any weapons in the home, the teen allegedly said he was not aware of any 'guns'. At that time, first responders had not told the teen that the incident had involved a gun or gunshot wounds.
Detectives investigating the case reported finding intimate articles of clothing belonging to Lyman in her teenage son's room, along with a handwritten note which read: "This is a murder story."
Another note reportedly made reference to 'forms of forensic testing' including 'DNA' and 'firearm testing'.
Also found in the room were two BB gun pistols, plate carriers and magazine pouches, though no other weapons were found at the scene. There was also a white-and-brown mask.
According to the warrant, the mask resembles the kind seen on 'video recordings' which were provided to police by investigators.
In the footage, a figure could be seen walking near Lyman's home on the day of the murders, with one clip showing someone exiting through a gap in a fence at around 2:30am local time, before returning at around 3am. Before they disappeared from the frame, the person allegedly put on a white mask.
As well as the findings in the bedroom, police found messages on Lyman's phone which had been sent to her from her son's phone in the weeks leading up to her death.
"Do you know how insignificant you are to my life?" one text read, as another added: "I wish I died in your stomach."
In a statement to People, the Saratoga Springs Police Department reported that the families of the victims 'have been extremely cooperative throughout the entire investigation', adding: "The Saratoga Springs Police Department remains committed to continue to work closely with them in the pursuit of justice."
Lyman's family also shared a statement, saying in part: "While we continue to wait for answers, we remain hopeful that justice will be served and those responsible will be held accountable. We miss Jessica and Eli every single moment of every single day. When we are together as a family, we can't help but feel incomplete. We miss their smiles, their laughter, and their joyful spirits. Please continue to keep our family, and everyone affected by this senseless tragedy, in your thoughts and prayers.
"If you have any information that could help move this case forward, we urge you to come forward and contact the Saratoga Springs Police Department. Jessica and Eli deserve justice, and even the smallest detail could help law enforcement in their ongoing investigation."
A GoFundMe has been started following Lyman and Eli's deaths, which you can donate to here.