Utah Man confesses to killing wife over custody argument
Unified Police say mother dead, teenager daughter in critical condition following domestic violence incident.
A crowbar-wielding man bludgeoned his wife to death and severely injured his daughter in their Utah apartment Wednesday before calling local news stations to confess to the crime, police said.
Walter Brantzeg was arrested Wednesday after launching an attack on his wife, 50-year-old Valerie Brantzeg, and his 13-year-old daughter, FOX13 Salt Lake City reported. The 54-year-old estranged husband called FOX13 and several other local news outlets to confess to killing his wife over a custody dispute.
Brantzeg ended the call when police officers arrived at the scene to arrest him, the report stated.
Walter Brantzeg, 54, was arrested after launching a crowbar attack on his estranged wife and daughter. His wife was pronounced dead. (Salt Lake County)
Brantzeg went to the home near the River Bend Apartments around 7:30 a.m. and allegedly began attacking his estranged wife and daughter with a crowbar. The teen was able to run out of the apartment during the assault and alerted neighbors to call 911, Deseret News reported.
"[Valerie] had been bludgeoned, it appears with a crowbar. In addition to that, a 13-year-old daughter was also injured with that same weapon,” Unified police spokeswoman Lt. Melody Gray said.
Paramedics arrived at the scene to find Valerie Brantzeg dead. The teen was taken to the hospital and is said to be in critical condition as of Wednesday night.
Court records showed Valerie Brantzeg had filed for temporary separation from Brantzeg on July 31.
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