CRIME, POLICE + COURTS
Moab Police get digital evidence possibly connected to double murder
Oct 26, 2021, 7:01 PM | Updated: Dec 30, 2022, 11:21 am
Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner are pictured. (Justice for Kylen and Crystal)
(Justice for Kylen and Crystal)
MOAB, Utah — Investigators are getting more digital evidence in the murders of two women near Moab earlier this year. They’re hoping data from a nearby cell phone tower can help them pinpoint who else was at the murder scene.
The bodies of Crystal Turner and her wife, Kylen Schulte, were found at a campsite near the La Sal Loop Road near Moab. Both of them were partially disrobed with multiple gunshot wounds to their backs, sides and chests. While investigators were on the scene, they called 911 to pinpoint the nearest cell phone tower. And investigators say it’s a tower operated by Verizon in the Jimmy Keen Flats.
Search warrants for digital evidence
Newly released search warrants show investigators asked for a “tower dump,” which is when analysts hand over any and all relevant data from that tower that connects to their investigation in search for digital evidence. That information reportedly came back Tuesday, but former prosecutor Greg Skordas, who is not connected to the case, says the public shouldn’t expect investigators to divulge what they found for a while.
“What they found, so far, would be privileged or confidential until they’re ready to file charges or do something with their case,” Skordas said.
Data collected between Aug. 13 and Aug. 15
The warrant specifically asked for any data collected from phones within a two-mile radius of the tower between Aug. 13 and Aug. 15.
Skordas said, “Limiting the search to two miles within the tower gives you a very limited reference and it also makes it so that law enforcement isn’t just doing what we call a ‘general warrant’ and trying to get anything they can.”
Skordas doesn’t believe the data will include specific texts or pictures from the phones in their search radius. However, it could tell officers which wireless devices were in their search radius around the time the women were murdered.
“It could lead law enforcement to the provider, or phone provider of the person who made these calls or texts or photographs,” he said.
More digital evidence
If needed, Skordas says investigators will be able to gather more evidence from cell phone providers, including any possible pictures or videos taken near the crime scene.
“[They can] further information about things that were done from that phone during that time,” according to Skordas.
Investigators say Schulte told friends that a “creepy man” had been harassing and intimidating the couple before the murder. She also reportedly told friends that if anything happened to them, they were murdered.
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