Teen Charged in Murder of Mother and Half-Brother
A 17-year-old from Utah faces charges in the deaths of his mother and 8-year-old half-brother. Authorities arrested him following a lengthy investigation. The charging documents describe a suspect caught on surveillance after the incident.
Police in Saratoga Springs arrested the teenager on August 14. The arrest came after a 17-month probe involving numerous search warrants and forensic testing. He was charged with two counts of aggravated murder and obstruction of justice in juvenile court. Officials plan to move the case to adult court. His identity remains protected due to his age.
Jessica Orton Lyman and her son, Eli Painter, seen in a family photo. (Alex Orton Facebook)
On March 28, 2025, police responded to a call on Willowbrook Lane. They found Jessica Orton Lyman, 44, and Eli Painter, 8, suffering gunshot wounds. Both succumbed despite medical aid efforts.
A surveillance camera nearby recorded an argument around 11:30 p.m. the prior evening. Voices captured in the footage are believed to belong to the suspect and the victims. Shortly before midnight, a woman’s voice reportedly shouted, “What are you doing?!” followed by gunshots.
Jessica Orton Lyman and her son, Eli Painter, pictured with family members. (GoFundMe)
The accused admitted to a conflict with his mother that night. Additional video showed a masked figure walking the neighborhood well past midnight. Authorities claim the suspect resembles the figure in the footage, who might have discarded the weapon in the nearby Jordan River.
Diving teams later searched the river for evidence. No firearms were found other than BB guns in the teen’s room. Forensic tests discovered gunshot residue on clothes associated with him, and DNA was found linking him to one of the victims.
Detectives obtained significant amounts of evidence over time. This included handwritten notes about serology and firearm testing found in the teen’s room. Police thoroughly documented the crime scene and submitted evidence for testing, delaying further investigation steps.
Most recently, the examination of additional evidence placed our detectives in a position to identify a suspect and establish probable cause for an arrest,” said Police Chief Andrew Burton.
The investigation included collaboration with the FBI, Utah State Crime Laboratory, and local law enforcement. Detectives continue pursuing follow-ups and examining additional leads.
The Orton family pressed publicly for information during the investigation. They expressed that not a day passes without feeling the loss, and they remain supportive of the ongoing investigative efforts.
Upon the arrest, the family acknowledged the police work while emphasizing that no legal outcome can undo their grief. They hope justice will hold the responsible party fully accountable. Jason Painter, a relative, described the victims’ beloved impact on everyone around them.
Jessica and Eli were much more than their tragic end. Their lives were rich with love and deserved more years together,” said Painter.