UTT Murder Investigation Update
*UPDATE* On 04-05-2017, a suspicious death was reported in the area of Trestle Creek, Hope, Idaho.
During the preliminary investigation, a person of interest was developed. As a result of evidence located at and near the crime scene, along with local eyewitnesses that observed this person in the area at and prior to the time of the death, this person of interest was identified as Nathan Utt.
Unable to locate Nathan Utt, and believing that he had traveled out of state, detectives appeared before a local magistrate. They were able to obtain an arrest warrant based upon the seriousness of the crime.
Although several local eyewitnesses placed Nathan Utt in the area of the homicide during the correct time frame, when interviewed, Nathan Utt provided legitimate and verifiable information as to his whereabouts. This information, verified and confirmed, placed him in Eugene, Oregon at the time of the suspicious death. Upon receipt of this information, Nathan Utt was released and charges against him were dropped without prejudice by the Bonner County Prosecutor.
The investigation is ongoing, and other leads that have been developed are still currently being investigated.
Residents in the area are asked to remain vigilant, and anyone with information in reference to this case is asked to contact either Bonner County Dispatch at 208-265-5525 or to report anonymous tips to 208-255-COPS (2677).
Original Article:
The Bonner County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the murder of 78 year old Hope resident, Shirley Ann Ramey. Detectives and patrol personnel have worked around the clock in an effort to apprehend Nathan Lane Utt, who had a $500,000 first degree murder warrant for his arrest. He was taken into custody early this morning in Spokane Washington without incident.
On April 5th at approximately 5:00 p.m., the Bonner County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Trestle Creek Road and found that Shirley Ramey had been murdered. It took more than 24 hours into the investigation to identify Utt as a suspect and find probable cause to bring charges against him.
There appears to be no apparent relationship between the Ramey’s and Utt, who at the time of the murder, was living in a camper on Trestle Creek Road, approximately ¼ mile from the victim’s home. As part of the investigation, detectives discovered that Utt had fled the state and was believed to be in Oregon. With the assistance from the US Marshall Service, we were able track the whereabouts of Utt and arrest him at the Spokane Train Station. Utt was booked into the Spokane County Jail and will be awaiting extradition back to Idaho.
This has been a complicated and tenacious investigation, involving the Sandpoint Police Department, the Coeur d’Alene Police Department Community Action Team, Spokane Police Department, Spokane Sheriff’s Office and the US Marshall Service. I have high praise for all these agencies, along with my dedicated staff at the Sheriff’s Office, for their efforts on this case. We are continuing to interview witnesses, processing evidence and will provide an
update when information can be released.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Ramey family as they deal with this senseless tragedy.
Sheriff Daryl Wheeler
