HYRUM, Utah — A married couple was found dead with gunshot wounds in their Cache County home Wednesday by their 16-year-old daughter after an apparent murder-suicide.
Officials identified the couple as 37-year-old Heather Preece and her husband, 38-year-old Dustin Preece.
After reviewing evidence and meeting with the Medical Examiner, officials said it is believed that Dustin shot and killed his wife before taking his own life.
The Cache County Sheriff's Office reported that the couple's 16-year-old daughter discovered her parents were dead at around 10 p.m. at their home in Hyrum and called authorities.
Deputies and local crews responded and found both individuals dead with gunshot wounds.
Dustin was a board member of the Wapiti Bluff neighborhood HOA. President Breanna Mertz has known him for five years.
“They were a very close family. They were always camping together, going hiking,” she said.
She recalls the last time she saw him two weeks ago.
“We just had a short conversation in my driveway and everything seemed to be going well. This was definitely a shock,” said Mertz.
Victim advocates are "working closely" with the teen who was impacted, officials said.
"This is a terrible incident that happened in our peaceful community, but especially for the 16-year-old daughter who discovered the scene," a statement reads from the Sheriff's Office. "Victims' advocates are working closely with her and the family to get them the services they may need."
“They were obsessed with their daughter,” said Mertz. “They loved her so much and that’s what makes this so hard to wrap your brain around.”
