Murders of Kylen Schulte and Crystal Turner

The women were married on April 20, 2021, and often camped with their pet rabbit Ruth. Two days before they were reported missing, Brian Laundrie and Gabby Petito were stopped by officers of the Moab City Police Department. This fueled speculation of a connection between the cases. == Murders ==

Schulte and Turner were last seen the night of August 13, 2021, at a bar in Moab around 9:30 pm. The women were described as being deeply in love, with focus and attention mostly on each other. Witnesses said that no one had followed them out of the bar. After the couple had been out of contact for three days, a local friend received a phone call from Schulte's father, who lives in Montana. The father reported that the couple had moved their campsite, due to a "creeper dude" of whom they were scared. She called the police and did not continue to search for Turner. Turner's remains were also discovered, right near Schulte's remains. Both women were discovered undressed from the waist down in a creek close to the campsite, with multiple gunshot wounds on their backs, sides, and/or chests. == Investigation ==

Responding police found a Kia Sorento, a camping tent, long-term camping tools and supplies, and a makeshift rabbit shelter when they arrived at the scene. In January 2022, the police announced they had identified a person of interest in the case, but he was cleared the following month. In March 2022, a private investigator who volunteered to help Schulte's father claimed that law enforcement had obtained an audio recording from near the crime scene, on which gunshots and screams can be heard. Authorities admitted to the audio's existence and confirmed that shots can be heard on it but did not confirm that "screams" are heard. The private investigator alleged also that the audio was recorded at 11:35 a.m. on August 14, 2021, the morning after Turner and Schulte were last seen alive. Police confirmed the date but would not reveal the time of day. In May 2022, police confirmed there was a likely suspect in the murders named Adam Pinkusiewicz. However, he was reported to have left the state and killed himself after the murders. Pinkusiewicz reportedly confessed to another person and provided details that had not been made public. The motive for the murders remains unknown. According to Schulte's father, the police also found evidence at the crime scene pointing to Pinkusiewicz. == Reactions ==

The first news release by the Grand County Sheriff's Office, issued on August 19, 2021, claimed that there was "no current danger to the public". This claim was met with skepticism by friends of the couple who believe the statement was to protect the tourism industry while investigating the case. Law enforcement ruled out any connection between the two cases. Schulte's family started a fundraiser to help cover funeral costs for her and have directed others to a separate fundraiser for Turner after the fundraiser reached its goal. ==See also==