17-year-old charged with murder in 2025 slaying of Utah mom and her 8-year-old son

17-year-old charged with murder in 2025 slaying of Utah mom and her 8-year-old son The arrest in this case follows bizarre evidence found at the Utah murder scene, detailed in previously unsealed court documents - Bookmark A 17-year-old boy was arrested Friday in connection with the 2025 double murder of a Utah mother and her young son. The teenager, whose identity has not been released because of his age, was booked into a juvenile detention center on suspicion of two counts of first-degree murder, the Saratoga Springs Police Department said in a news release. It has not been determined whether he will be prosecuted as a juvenile or an adult. The boy’s arrest comes 17 months after Jessica Lyman, 44, and her son Eli Painter, 8, were found with gunshot wounds inside their Saratoga Springs, Utah, apartment on March 28, 2025. Painter was pronounced dead at the scene, while Lyman, who was reportedly found with her pants and underwear pulled around her ankles, was taken to a hospital, where she died from her injuries on March 31. Police initially responded to the home after Lyman's 17-year-old daughter found the pair unconscious. Lyman's other son, who was 15 at the time, was found alone in his bedroom when officers arrived. The teen told investigators he was asleep when the shooting occurred and did not hear anything, according to search warrants later unsealed in the investigation, KSL reports. No arrests were made for more than a year while investigators worked to piece together what happened. Saratoga Springs Police Chief Andrew Burton said Friday that detectives executed dozens of search warrants, collected hundreds of pieces of evidence, conducted numerous interviews and reviewed extensive video, records and other information before making the arrest. Search warrants and an affidavit obtained by 2News Investigates in early July 2025 detailed evidence collected after the killings. Clothing worn by the then-15-year-old on the day of the killings showed evidence of gunshot residue, while two .22-caliber shell casings were found in the room where the victims were discovered. More bizarre evidence included sex toys and lubricant found in both Lyman’s bedroom and the teen’s room, along with fishnet stockings in each room, according to the docs. In the teen’s bedroom, officers also found multiple masks, plate carriers, two BB-style guns, women’s undergarments and handwritten notes referencing forensic testing, including “DNA,” “serology” and “firearm testing.” One note read, “This is a murder story.” The warrants also alleged that the teen spent up to 15 hours a day on messaging apps and had discussed the killings with others. A neighbor’s surveillance camera also captured a person wearing a white mask near the home around 2:30 a.m. A search warrant said the mask “resembles” one of those found in the teen’s bedroom. The allegations against him remain unproven. "We recognize that no arrest, prosecution or outcome can undo the pain caused by this tragedy," Burton said Friday. "We are grateful for the families' patience, cooperation and continued confidence in the Saratoga Springs Police Department throughout this lengthy investigation." "This very complex case required an extraordinary amount of time, attention to detail and perseverance," he added. The Orton and Painter families issued statements Saturday, thanking law enforcement and honoring Lyman and Painter following the suspect’s arrest. "We trust the court process to do its work to bring justice for Jessica and Eli. We will continue to honor Jessica and Eli by remembering the love they shared, the lives they lived, and the legacy they leave behind, not just how they were taken. We will continue to seek justice in their names," Jason Painter, Jessica’s husband and Eli’s father, said in his statement, KUTV reports. The Orton family said they still have “many questions” they hope will soon be answered, but are leaning on each other and their faith in the meantime. “Today’s arrest marks an important step toward justice for our daughter and sister, Jessica Orton Lyman, and our grandson and nephew, Eli Painter,” the statement reads. “... We expect that the person responsible for these crimes will be held fully accountable for their actions, without excuse, exception, or leniency. We remain committed to seeing justice served and to honoring Jessica and Eli’s memories through truth, strength and accountability,” it continues.