RICHFIELD, Utah – The family of a woman who was reported missing more than two months ago said they finally have a sense of closure Friday as the woman’s husband faces formal charges that include aggravated murder.
Melanie Callison's sister reported her missing in September, and detectives found Callison’s remains earlier this week.
Callison’s husband, Edward Callison, is behind bars and his charges include aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and desecration of a body.
“If there’s one thing that sticks out to me, it’s just how much she loved her family, how much she loved her parents,” said Michelle Stanley, who is the victim’s sister.
Melanie Callison's family said they remember their daughter and sister as someone who was everyone's best friend, which they said makes her untimely death so difficult to accept.
Stanley said: “Definitely one of the worst days of my life that I've ever experienced."
Stanley is the one who reported her missing back in September, and she said she never trusted Ed Callison and knew something had to have happened. Police stated Thursday Callison had told investigators his wife had gone to California. They said as the investigation went on the man made conflicting statements to authorities and family members.
“She didn’t go to California,” Stanley said. “She didn’t go to Salt Lake, knowing that she wouldn’t leave without saying [goodbye], we had to get to that understanding, but we couldn't necessarily prove it.”
Chief John Evans of the Richfield City Police Department said they eventually learned Callison had allegedly been misrepresenting the facts.
“He went to her Facebook page and posted that she was in California, making it appear it was coming from her,” he said. “He finally admitted that was wrong.”
Interviewing witnesses eventually led them to a rural campsite along Highway 24, which is where authorities found the remains of Melanie Callison.
''He did some pretty terrible things to her,” said Sheriff Nathan Curtis of Sevier County. “He, he dismembered her body... It's pretty sad that somebody would do this. It's also... it's gruesome what he did.”
Friday, the county attorney filed formal charges against Ed Callison, including aggravated murder, obstruction of justice and desecration of a body. He’s being held on a $1 million cash only bail.
Melanie Callison’s family said they’re grateful police kept investigating.
“All of the law enforcement that have been involved, they’ve done a super job,” said Merle Daniels, who is Melanie’s father.
