A jury found a Utah man guilty of kidnapping and murdering two teenagers whose bodies were found in a mine shaft in 2018.
Jerrod Baum, 45, was found guilty of two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of aggravated kidnapping, one count of desecration of a body, and one count of obstruction of justice. The date for his sentencing has been set for June 1.
They went missing more than four years ago while on a road trip from Toole, Utah to Eureka. Brelynne “Breezy” Otteson was 17 at the time and Riley Powell was 18 at the time. Their Jeep was discovered abandoned, and police quickly suspected foul play, according to local television station KUTV.
During a search operation near Eureka on March 28, 2018, a team discovered the bodies inside an abandoned mine shaft. Baum was apprehended and charged a few hours later, according to the station.
“It had been a long time coming, but we did it, we did it, and the state did it. We’re here, and we’ve obtained justice for the children “Amanda Davis, Otteson’s aunt, spoke with KUTV.
PEOPLE obtained a copy of Baum’s charging document as well as a probable cause affidavit, which stated that the teenagers were kidnapped after they visited Baum’s residence, which he shared with his girlfriend, Morgan Henderson, who is 34 years old.
Henderson said Baum told her not to have “guy friends.” Prosecutors say Otteson and Powell were bound and taped in the back of Baum’s Jeep after Henderson thought the teens had left.
According to the documents, Baum coerced Henderson into getting into his Jeep with him and driving him to the Tintic Standard Mine. According to Sheriff’s Sgt. Cannon, the tape around the teenagers’ feet was cut to allow them to walk up to the mine.
According to the documents, Baum forced Henderson into the Jeep and drove him to the Tintic Standard Mine. According to Sheriff’s Sgt. Cannon, the teenagers’ foot tape had been cut so they could walk up to the mine.
