Found Deceased UT - Merlin Dutson, 19, Eagle Mountain, 8 Aug 2019

[JerseyGirl]

19-year-old Merlin Dutson of Eagle Mountain called his mother on Thursday, August 8. That was his last known contact. His car was spotted driving eastbound on U.S. Highway 40 near Strawberry Reservoir a day later.

Dutson’s phone is powered off and a look at his bank records did not reveal any recent transactions.

Dutson was driving a teal green, 2010 Honda Accord with a Utah “In God We Trust” license plate number SO76L. The car has a “Utah Utes” sticker on its back window.

No leads in search for missing Utah County teenager

 

[PommyMommy]

Facebook: Merlin Dutson

AUG 13, 2019
Search for missing, endangered man last seen in Utah County ensues

• His family says he is usually in contact with the family members he lives with.
• They say it's highly unusual for him to not communicate with them or to disappear, and that he showed no signs of being depressed or suicidal.
• His phone goes straight to voicemail.
• It's possible he may be in the Duchesne County area.
• LE says there are currently no signs of foul play.
• However, circumstances did lead the sheriff's office to classify this as an endangered missing person's case.
• Merlin is 5'10" tall and weighs about 150 pounds.
• He drives a 2010 Green Honda Accord--similar to the photo below--plate number SO76L.

 

[PommyMommy]

AUG 13, 2019
Utah County Sheriff’s Office look for missing 19-year-old



Friends saw his car driving east on U.S. Highway 40 near Strawberry Reservoir on Friday.

 

[TatianaBarbie]

I'm confused by the information given. If Merlin lives in Eagle Mountain, Utah, how did his friends see him driving on Highway 40 the next day? Strawberry Reservoir is around 80 miles away from Eagle Mountain. Were his friends in another vehicle travelling along with Merlin, in the same vehicle as Merlin, or were his friends, just by chance, also driving in the Strawberry Reservoir area?

Google Maps

 

[laytonian]

From the MERLIN DUTSON IS MISSING Facebook page:

UPDATE: Friday, Aug 16th Merlin and his car has been located but he is no longer with us. It’s with a heavy heart that we bear this news, we are grieving greatly. We ask that everyone respect the families privacy as we go through this tough time. Law enforcement are working on things and more information will come soon.
We love you all dearly and can’t express enough how extremely grateful we are for the love, prayers, and support from everyone that has helped us in the search for him.

 

[PommyMommy]

From the MERLIN DUTSON IS MISSING Facebook page:

UPDATE: Friday, Aug 16th Merlin and his car has been located but he is no longer with us. It’s with a heavy heart that we bear this news, we are grieving greatly. We ask that everyone respect the families privacy as we go through this tough time. Law enforcement are working on things and more information will come soon.
We love you all dearly and can’t express enough how extremely grateful we are for the love, prayers, and support from everyone that has helped us in the search for him.

Adding link: Merlin Dutson is Missing

 

[imstilla.grandma]

A 19-year-old man from Eagle Mountain was found dead in his car Friday evening, according to authorities.

Eli Merlin Dutson had been reported missing since Thursday, Aug. 8 in Eagle Mountain. His disappearance was under investigation by the Utah County Sheriff's Office.

His car and his body were found in Lehi, according to Sgt. Spencer Cannon with the Utah County Sheriff's Office.
Missing Eagle Mountain man found dead in his car

 

[PommyMommy]

A 19-year-old man from Eagle Mountain was found dead in his car Friday evening, according to authorities.

Eli Merlin Dutson had been reported missing since Thursday, Aug. 8 in Eagle Mountain. His disappearance was under investigation by the Utah County Sheriff's Office.

His car and his body were found in Lehi, according to Sgt. Spencer Cannon with the Utah County Sheriff's Office.
Missing Eagle Mountain man found dead in his car

Oh my gosh, his poor brother.

His car and body were discovered by his brother shortly before 9 p.m. Friday in the park-and-ride lot at the Lehi UTA Frontrunner station, according to Carl Arky, UTA public information officer.

[...]

Dutson's family was checking Dutson's mobile phone information prior to Friday evening, and they discovered the last spot he was shown using his phone was at the Lehi park-and-ride lot. They traveled there to search, and it was then that they found his car.

I'm confused by the information given. If Merlin lives in Eagle Mountain, Utah, how did his friends see him driving on Highway 40 the next day? Strawberry Reservoir is around 80 miles away from Eagle Mountain. Were his friends in another vehicle travelling along with Merlin, in the same vehicle as Merlin, or were his friends, just by chance, also driving in the Strawberry Reservoir area?

View attachment 198703
Google Maps

False sighting, perhaps?

Eagle Mountain, Strawberry Reservoir, and Lehi UT: Google Maps

 

[turanna25]

Oh my gosh, his poor brother.

His car and body were discovered by his brother shortly before 9 p.m. Friday in the park-and-ride lot at the Lehi UTA Frontrunner station, according to Carl Arky, UTA public information officer.

[...]

Dutson's family was checking Dutson's mobile phone information prior to Friday evening, and they discovered the last spot he was shown using his phone was at the Lehi park-and-ride lot. They traveled there to search, and it was then that they found his car.

False sighting, perhaps?

Eagle Mountain, Strawberry Reservoir, and Lehi UT: Google Maps

How horrible

 

[imstilla.grandma]

Utah County Sheriff's officials say the body of 19-year-old Eli Merlin Dutson was located Friday night in the park-and-ride lot at the Lehi UTA FrontRunner station.

They say investigators used cellphone information to narrow the search and eventually find the vehicle.

Officials with Utah Transit Authority say it's unclear how long Dutson's car had been parked at the station.

Authorities still are investigating the cause of death.
Utah man missing since Aug. 8 is found dead in his car

 

[kiwijayne]

I'm confused by the information given. If Merlin lives in Eagle Mountain, Utah, how did his friends see him driving on Highway 40 the next day? Strawberry Reservoir is around 80 miles away from Eagle Mountain. Were his friends in another vehicle travelling along with Merlin, in the same vehicle as Merlin, or were his friends, just by chance, also driving in the Strawberry Reservoir area?

View attachment 198703
Google Maps

I found this and it says nothing about his friends. My guess LE saw his car and the bit about his friends has been misinterpreted?

No leads in search for missing Utah County teenager