The family of Jason Royter is asking for your help in finding the person or persons that murdered him 3 1/2 years ago, please check out these links and newspaper articles for more information regarding the night he was killed. If you have any information that might help please contact theFATHER OF TWO STABBED TO DEATH DURING FIGHT IN HOME
A Magna woman returned home from an evening out with friends Saturday to find her boyfriend stabbed to death in their basement. The body of Jason Royter, a 33-year-old father of two, was discovered about 1:30 a.m. in the single-story home at 7383 W. Paine Road.
Tammy Martinez called the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office after coming home and finding blood and broken furniture throughout the house, then her boyfriend's body downstairs.
"There was obvious evidence of a struggle that led us to investigate this as a homicide," Sgt. Kris Ownby said.
Yellow tape remained draped around the home and Martinez's car Saturday as investigators bagged more than 50 items of evidence, including a brown chair with blood stains on the seat, a small table and a foosball game.
Investigators would not say how many times Royter was stabbed or with what, but they did say a weapon was found in the home. There was a "significant" amount of evidence of a struggle on the main floor of the home as well as the basement, Ownby said. No drugs were found in the home.
"It doesn't appear it was a robbery, random or gang-related," Ownby said. "There were people here in the evening that were visiting that we're looking at."
Bob Mathis, who lives across the street, said he saw nothing unusual at his neighbor's house earlier that night except for a sedan that was parked in front of the home about 8:30 p.m. Mathis said the car remained parked in front of the home for several minutes before a man in the home came out and asked the driver: "What are you doing?" The man then appeared to recognize the driver and both men went into the home. Mathis said he noticed the car was still there when he went to bed about 11 p.m. and that the motor was still running and the parking lights were on.
Claron Twitchell, who also lives across the street, said Martinez has lived in the home for about 10 years and Royter had lived there for about four. Twitchell described Royter as a "pretty nice, pretty gentle guy."
"I feel really bad because he had a couple of small children that loved him," he said.
Twitchell said Royter's 14-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son didn't live with him but they visited frequently. Martinez reportedly also has two children. None of the kids was at the home when the stabbing occurred.
"My wife is pretty tender-hearted and this is bothering her," Twitchell said. "You hate to see it.
jbergreen@sltrib.com
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Tammy Martinez called the Salt Lake County Sheriff's Office after coming home and finding blood and broken furniture throughout the house, then her boyfriend's body downstairs.
"There was obvious evidence of a struggle that led us to investigate this as a homicide," Sgt. Kris Ownby said.
Yellow tape remained draped around the home and Martinez's car Saturday as investigators bagged more than 50 items of evidence, including a brown chair with blood stains on the seat, a small table and a foosball game.
Investigators would not say how many times Royter was stabbed or with what, but they did say a weapon was found in the home. There was a "significant" amount of evidence of a struggle on the main floor of the home as well as the basement, Ownby said. No drugs were found in the home.
"It doesn't appear it was a robbery, random or gang-related," Ownby said. "There were people here in the evening that were visiting that we're looking at."
Bob Mathis, who lives across the street, said he saw nothing unusual at his neighbor's house earlier that night except for a sedan that was parked in front of the home about 8:30 p.m. Mathis said the car remained parked in front of the home for several minutes before a man in the home came out and asked the driver: "What are you doing?" The man then appeared to recognize the driver and both men went into the home. Mathis said he noticed the car was still there when he went to bed about 11 p.m. and that the motor was still running and the parking lights were on.
Claron Twitchell, who also lives across the street, said Martinez has lived in the home for about 10 years and Royter had lived there for about four. Twitchell described Royter as a "pretty nice, pretty gentle guy."
"I feel really bad because he had a couple of small children that loved him," he said.
Twitchell said Royter's 14-year-old daughter and 11-year-old son didn't live with him but they visited frequently. Martinez reportedly also has two children. None of the kids was at the home when the stabbing occurred.
"My wife is pretty tender-hearted and this is bothering her," Twitchell said. "You hate to see it.
jbergreen@sltrib.com
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SEEKING CLOSURE
The last time Jason Royter spoke to his children, he told them he was hanging up the phone because someone was knocking at his door. He promised to call them later. But the phone call never came, said Royter's sister Keli Buchanan.
That knock at the door, as it turned out, belonged to the person or persons who brutally killed Royter, 33, leaving a trail of blood and destruction throughout his Magna home, Buchanan said.
More than a year after the Aug. 6, 2005, attack, investigators still don't know who entered his home at 7383 W. Paine Road and ended his life.
The mystery of his death has police stumped and family members desperate for closure. For the second time this year, they are asking for the public's help in resolving the crime.
"Right now, we're just grasping at straws," Buchanan said. "Even if it's the shortest straw, it could be the connection that we're looking for."
The police investigation showed no signs of forced entry and later revealed that several items had been taken from Royter's home, said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Paul Jaroscak.
Robbery, however, does not appear to be the motive, Jaroscak said.
"It's more likely [the theft] was an afterthought," said the lieutenant. With an alcoholic father, Royter stepped up at a young age to be the man of the family, Buchanan said. He was always willing to help out and care for his three older sisters, she said. He was the quintessential life of the party and a good father to his now 13-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter, Buchanan said.
"If God did one thing to give anybody peace that night, his kids were the last ones he spoke to," his sister said.
Police and the family are hoping that someone will come forward with information regarding the murder. Those wishing to make a report can call Salt Lake County Sheriff's office at 801-743-7000.
The hope to catch Royter's attacker is strong, but in the event his death remains a mystery, Buchanan said, "I believe in God, and I figure that if society can't get ahold of him now, I've got enough faith that eventually this person is going to have to pay one way or the other."
mwestley@sltrib.com
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FAMILY ASKS FOR HELP IN FINDING BROTHERS KILLER
That knock at the door, as it turned out, belonged to the person or persons who brutally killed Royter, 33, leaving a trail of blood and destruction throughout his Magna home, Buchanan said.
More than a year after the Aug. 6, 2005, attack, investigators still don't know who entered his home at 7383 W. Paine Road and ended his life.
The mystery of his death has police stumped and family members desperate for closure. For the second time this year, they are asking for the public's help in resolving the crime.
"Right now, we're just grasping at straws," Buchanan said. "Even if it's the shortest straw, it could be the connection that we're looking for."
The police investigation showed no signs of forced entry and later revealed that several items had been taken from Royter's home, said Salt Lake County Sheriff's Lt. Paul Jaroscak.
Robbery, however, does not appear to be the motive, Jaroscak said.
"It's more likely [the theft] was an afterthought," said the lieutenant. With an alcoholic father, Royter stepped up at a young age to be the man of the family, Buchanan said. He was always willing to help out and care for his three older sisters, she said. He was the quintessential life of the party and a good father to his now 13-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter, Buchanan said.
"If God did one thing to give anybody peace that night, his kids were the last ones he spoke to," his sister said.
Police and the family are hoping that someone will come forward with information regarding the murder. Those wishing to make a report can call Salt Lake County Sheriff's office at 801-743-7000.
The hope to catch Royter's attacker is strong, but in the event his death remains a mystery, Buchanan said, "I believe in God, and I figure that if society can't get ahold of him now, I've got enough faith that eventually this person is going to have to pay one way or the other."
mwestley@sltrib.com
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FAMILY ASKS FOR HELP IN FINDING BROTHERS KILLER
Unfortunately, memories of Jason are all that Hinerman and her three sisters have left -- their brother was murdered four months ago in his Magna home. Returning to the house they shared at 7383 W. Paine Road, Royter's girlfriend made a grisly discovery.
First, she saw furniture overturned and blood stains throughout the home. She found Royter's body downstairs. He had been stabbed repeatedly.
"There was obvious evidence of a struggle that led us to investigate this as a homicide," said Sgt. Kris Ownby of the Salt Lake County Sheriff's office. "It doesn't appear it was a robbery, random or gang-related."
Investigators said they bagged more than 50 items of evidence, including a brown chair with blood stains on the seat, a small table and a foosball table, and a weapon.
Yet Royter's murderer, or murderers, have yet to be apprehended.
The circumstances surrounding their brother's death have left those who loved Jason tormented. Niki Fishler, the fourth child and closest in age to Royter, remembers her brother as an overgrown kid, who loved to spend time with his two children, 10 and 14.
Royter lived simply, working as a sprinkler specialist so he could support his two children and was content to let others live their lives how they pleased.
There were no signs of forced entry into Royter's home on the night he was killed, raising the question of whether or not Royter knew his murderer. That doesn't surprise Hinerman or Fishler, who said their brother's nonjudgmental nature may have contributed to his death.
"I wouldn't be surprised if he invited his murderer into his home to have a beer," said Hinerman. "If he was acquainted with them, that's exactly what he would have done." The sisters said they've received excellent support and help from the Salt Lake County Sheriff's office, who are still searching for information that may help create a timeline for the night of the murder.
According to the family, Royter was at home all evening and was speaking on the phone with one of his children when he heard a knock at the door. Subsequent events are still unknown, but neighbors reported seeing a sedan parked in front of Royter's home around 8:30 p.m.
After several minutes a man, possibly Royter, came outside and spoke to the man in the car. Both men then went back into the home. Witnesses stated the car was still in the driveway around 11 p.m.
Royter's sisters and investigators are hoping someone saw Royter that evening. Hinerman believes maybe someone is aware of the events and has been afraid to come forward, or saw something that didn't seem important at the time.
If you have information ...
* Investigators are hoping someone might have seen Jason Royter on the evening of his death, Aug. 6. If you have any information about his death, contact Salt Lake County Sheriff's Detective Christine Hansen at 801-743-9470, or 801-743-7000.
Keli Hinerman talks about the unsolved murder of her brother. Jason Royter was murdered in August of 2005. They are asking anyone with information about Royter's death to come forward.
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21 comments:
I miss Jason everyday.......please, please if you know anything about his case, please contact SL County sheriffs dept at 801.743.5863 thx
THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO CHECK OUT OUR BROTHERS STORY, PLEASE PASS THE WEB ADDRESS TO FAMILY AND FREINDS AND ASK THEM TO CHECK IT OUT ALSO, WE ARE VERY HOPEFUL THAT SOMEONE HAS THE MISSING LINK AND WE WILL FINALLY HAVE CLOSURE.
Stephani,
Even though I did not know your Brother,Jason, I am glad I was able to help setting up this blog.
I hope this will help in finding who committed this horrible thing.
Dave
Hi, Im Kristy, youre aunt Marilyn's daughter in law..im married to Marty. I only met Jason maybe 2 times and both times I had no idea he was Marty's cousin. I dont think he even recognized Marty...but he seemed like a really nice layed back guy....I hope they catch whoever did this...
Horrible thing to happen. I didn't have time to read everything so I am sorry if I missed this, but did they list what items were stolen?
This is the first I've heard of this case. I'm no detective, but it seems to me that if you're asking for help from the public at large, you need to include a lot more details about Jason that might help people make connections.
Work? Hobbies? Marriages? Associations? Religion? Schooling? Affiliations? Did he have enemies or someone with a vendetta? Any criminal background? Where did his children live? Their mother?
It seems those are the details that might bring a connection. Any details you can include about his life would probably be helpful.
Good luck to you in this. I can't imagine the pain you deal with and I hope justice prevails.
Hello my name is taco and I'm a psychic, i would love to try and help you solve this case. If interested please contact me at tacoreading.com. Best of wishes to you all...
so i heard recently a couple of things that i want to pass on to anyone interested. i posted multiple flyers in and around magna, Jason had many freinds in that area. the owner of a local pub told me that someone had put their fist right through one of the flyers and actually put a hole in the wall! and second, from a customer at another pub on main street, i was told that some girl was bragging to his son-in-law that she herself killed Jason! of course i realize that this is all gossip, but i guess we were successful at getting everyone to talk about it again, if i heard this, what is being said that i haven't heard? WOW! Jason was my little brother, and i want everyone to know that we are not giving up! we as a family need closure, but most importantly, the killer is still out there......
I saw this on a billboard on the freeway going home. I don't have any information to help you find the killer, but did want to offer support and hope that JUSTICE WILL BE SERVED!
this is really sad so give info
thomas, did you read the new paper
articles attached to this blog? that's pretty much all the info we have, the detectives say they know who did it, they just can't prove it at this time, but we are still VERY hopeful......
I'm so sorry about all of this. I saw your billboard & was hoping that you may be coming across something. Best of luck to you. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Hello. I'm sorry about the incident. I didn't know jason, and I don't have any information, but I live near Magna and I am willing to offer my help in any way I can. If there is something I can do, please contact me at polska05@gmail.com. My condolences to you.
Scott Haslam
Hi, I am sorry to hear of your loss. This is a great idea to receive needed closure.
I am sure they did, but was the last phone call traced?
God Bless.
The last phone call he made was to his kids, he heard a knock on the door and told them, "i gotta go, someone is at the door" he told them he loved them and that was it. Thank you for your blessings.....
Did they recover any DNA that maybe could be tested now with newer technology?
My prayers are with your family.
Actually, they do have DNA, I can't say anything else about it, but it's like I have said before, they are just waiting for the last piece of the puzzle and they will solve this case, the tips, the phone calls, the support, it just keeps coming! As a matter of fact, KSL has done another story on their website, go to ksl.com and search for "ROYTER" I haven't seen it yet, gonna sign on right now! Thanks again for you blessings!
Stephani, I seen the article on KSL today and I pass the bill board everyday. I did not know Jason or your family but my thoughts are with all of you. I can't even begin to imagine your pain. It sounds like the investigation is just about done with answers around the corner?? I think it was a great idea to do the bill board. Take care!
I wanted to let you know that I'm very sorry about your loss, and I give my condolences to you. I don't have any information for you, but I hope the person who killed your brother is found. I can't imagine how this must be for you, but I truly am hoping that the murderer doesn't get away with this horrible, senseless crime. Stay strong!
Dear Stephani,
My deepest sympathies to you and your family for what has happened. I pray the Lord may be with you during this time.
Well, it is August 6, 2009 and there still is no closure. Niki, Stephanie and Keli, I think of him and miss him everyday. I long for the day that this murder is solved. I am very sad for his kids. I hope they are holding up ok. I wish you well and with lots of luck.
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