- Page 1 of Search Warrant No.

1303215 -
_________________________________________________________________
IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT COURT - ALL DEPARTMENT
IN AND FOR UTAH COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH
_________________________________________________
SEARCH WARRANT
No. 1303215
COUNTY OF UTAH, STATE OF UTAH
To any peace officer in the State of Utah:
Proof by Affidavit made upon oath or written affirmation subscribed under criminal
penalty of the State of Utah having been made to me by Detective JEFFERY M
ELLSWORTH of Springville Police, this day, I am satisfied that there is probable cause
to believe
THAT
On the premises known as 954 East 900 South Springville, Utah 84663, further
described as A duplex home with white siding, and gray brick, with a white door
that faces north and the numbers 954 in black on the front of the home. The
residence faces north, and the duplex home is on the east side of the building.
There is a garage on the east side of the building, with two vehicles parked in
the driveway.;
On the vehicle(s) described as: A green Dodge Ram identified with plate #Z203GK
and Light Blue Buick Century identified with plate #C516DE.
There's also a camper located at the home. The camper is described as a small
camper that sits in the back of a pickup truck, but is not currently attached to any
vehicle.;
In the City of Springville Utah, County of Utah, State of Utah, there is now certain
property or evidence described as:
Any information that would lead to evidence of the reason for the deaths,
including notes, cell phones, computers, pictures, electronic media, household
items.
and that said property or evidence:
- Page 2 of Search Warrant No. 1303215 -
Was unlawfully acquired or is unlawfully possessed;
has been used or is possessed for the purpose of being used to commit or
conceal the commission of an offense; or
is evidence of illegal conduct.
Affiant believes the property and evidence described above is evidence of the crime
or crimes of Unattended Death, Murder (UCA 76-5-203).
YOU ARE THEREFORE COMMANDED:
to make a search of the above-named or described premises for the herein-above
described property or evidence and if you find the same or any part thereof, to bring it
forth with before me at the FOURTH DISTRICT COURT - ALL DEPARTMENT, County
of Utah, State of Utah, or retain such property in your custody, subject to the order
of this court.

Dated: 27th day of September, 2014 @ 11:56 PM /s/
- Page 1 of Affidavit for Search Warrant No. 1303215 -
_________________________________________________________________
IN THE FOURTH DISTRICT COURT - ALL DEPARTMENT
IN AND FOR UTAH COUNTY, STATE OF UTAH
_________________________________________________
AFFIDAVIT FOR SEARCH WARRANT
STATE OF UTAH )
:ss
County of Utah )
The undersigned affiant, Detective JEFFERY M ELLSWORTH of Springville Police,
upon an oath or written affidavit subscribed under criminal penalty, declares:
That your affiant has reason to believe:
THAT
On the premises known as 954 East 900 South Springville, Utah 84663, further
described as A duplex home with white siding, and gray brick, with a white door
that faces north and the numbers 954 in black on the front of the home. The
residence faces north, and the duplex home is on the east side of the building.
There is a garage on the east side of the building, with two vehicles parked in
the driveway.;
On the vehicle(s) described as: A green Dodge Ram identified with plate #Z203GK
and Light Blue Buick Century identified with plate #C516DE.
There's also a camper located at the home. The camper is described as a small
camper that sits in the back of a pickup truck, but is not currently attached to any
vehicle.;
In the City of Springville Utah, County of Utah, State of Utah, there is now certain
property or evidence described as:
Any information that would lead to evidence of the reason for the deaths,
including notes, cell phones, computers, pictures, electronic media, household
items.
and that said property or evidence:
Was unlawfully acquired or is unlawfully possessed;
- Page 2 of Affidavit for Search Warrant No. 1303215 -
has been used or is possessed for the purpose of being used to commit or
conceal the commission of an offense; or
is evidence of illegal conduct.
Affiant believes the property and evidence described above is evidence of the crime
or crimes of Unattended Death, Murder (UCA 76-5-203).
The facts to establish the grounds for issuance of a Search Warrant are:
That I, Officer Jeff Ellsworth, am a peace officer for the Springville Police
Department, of Springville, Utah County, Utah, and have been for approximately
seven years. I am currently assigned to the investigations Division in charge
of Fraud investigations. Prior to my seven years as an officer in the state of
Utah, I graduated from Utah Police Officers Standards and Training academy
located in Sandy Utah. I worked three and a half years as a patrol officer and
approximately 18 months as a Sex Crimes Detective. I have also worked several
months as a property crimes detective. During my time as a detective for the
Springville Police Department I have investigated several crimes related to theft
of property and frauds. During my time as a Police Officer for the Springville
Police Department I have received special training in Computer Forensics and
am familiar with obtaining information from computers regarding Internet Protocol
Addresses and recovering Internet web search history. This training also included
cell phone interrogation and forensic training.
On Saturday, September 27, Officers received a call to respond to the home
of 954 East 900 South on a report of 5 dead body's located inside the home.
When officers arrived on scene they found the bodies of Kristi Strack (36 year old
female), Benjamin Strack (37 year old male), Benson Strack (14 year old male),
Emery Strack (12 year old female), and Zion Strack (11 year old male). The bodies
were located in the master bedroom of the home. Kristi and Benjamin were lying
in the bed, and the three children were lying around the bed, covered in bedding
up to their necks. Officers reported there was a red liquid substance coming from
the mouth of Kristi Strack. All the occupants of the home were non responsive.
Next to each of the victims was a cup/drink with a liquid inside.
Officers made contact with Janson McGee (Kristi's biological son), Kira Kinsman
(Janson's girlfriend), Zachary Beesley (friend of Janson), Valerie Sudweeks
(Mother to Kristi Strack), and Maureen Ledbetter (friend of Valeri) at the home.
Officers reported they had to physically removed Valerie from the home due to her
emotional state. Officers told Valerie they were concerned their may be a carbon
monoxide leak. Valerie replied stating there was no carbon monoxide leak, and
that she knew her family. Valerie also said she couldn't believe "she" would do
this to the kids. Officers tried to clarify Valerie's statement, but she only assured
them it wasn't a carbon monoxide leak.
- Page 3 of Affidavit for Search Warrant No. 1303215 -
Fire Department responded to the home and confirmed there was no carbon
monoxide leak. Fire Department stated there were no toxic levels of any kind
inside the home. Fire Department checked the home, including the furnace, and
found everything to be in good working order. Fire Department, EMS, and Officers
made confirmation all the occupants inside the room that were discovered were
deceased.
Officers interviewed Janson and Kira concerning the situation. Officers learned
that Janson and Kira both live at the home. Officers were told by Kira that she had
spoken face to face with Kristi in the morning at approximately 0600 hours. Kira
said this was the last time she had seen Kristi alive. Kira said she and Janson
and Kristi all went back to bed around 0600 hours after Kira had spoken to Kristi.
Officers learned Kira and Janson had woken up at approximately 1200 hours and
found the home to be quiet. Janson and Kira reported they thought the rest of
the family had left the home. Janson and Kira said they went to a friend's house,
Zach Beesely.
Janson and Kira said they returned to the home at 1900 hours to get Kira's cell
phone. Janson and Kira found the home to be quiet, but noticed all of the cars
were still at the home. Janson and Kira tried to make contact with Kristi at her
bedroom, but found the door was locked. They knocked on the door and didn't
receive an answer.
Janson and Kira contacted Valerie Sudweeks and Maureen Ledbetter, who came
to the home. Valerie and Maureen were able to forcefully enter Kristi's bedroom.
At this time the victims were located in bedroom on the bed, with the children
surrounding the bed, covered in bedding.
Janson and Kira said each of the children had their own bedrooms, and it was not
normal for all of the family to be in the master bedroom together.
Due to the Fire Department's findings, it can be concluded the deaths were not
likely caused by toxic gases in the home. Furthermore, with the placement of
the bodies, it would appear somebody had to position the bodies after they were
deceased.
From my experience as an officer an investigator, It is probable that these death's
were not accidental or natural in anyway. From investigating unattended deaths
in the past, I have often found evidence related to the deaths, including suicide
notes, drugs, or information regarding a person's mental health and demeanor
inside the home, curtilage of the home or vehicles located at the home. It would be
important that this home and it's curtilage and vehicles be searched in an attempt
to find information that would aid in determination of the cause and nature of the
deaths of this family.
- Page 4 of Affidavit for Search Warrant No. 1303215 -
This affidavit has been reviewed by Dave Sturgill of the Utah County Attorney's Office
Office, and it has been approved for presentation to the court.
WHEREFORE, your affiant prays that a Search Warrant be issued for the seizure of
said items.
I declare under criminal penalty of the State of Utah that the foregoing is true
and correct.
Executed on: 27th day of September, 2014 @ 11:52 PM by /s/ JEFFERY M
ELLSWORTH
- Page 1 of Return of Service for Search Warrant No. 1303215 -
RETURN TO SEARCH WARRANT
NO. 1303215
The personal property listed below or set out on the inventory attached hereto was
taken from the person of 954 East 900 South, Springville Ut, by virtue of a search
warrant dated the 27th day of September, 2014, and issued by Magistrate CHRISTINE
JOHNSON of the FOURTH DISTRICT COURT - ALL DEPARTMENT:
Body of Kristi Strack
Body of Benjamin Strack
Body of Zion Strack
Body of Emery Strack
Body of Benson Strack
Black Slippers (Spot of blood)
Water Bottle
Drink Bottle
Cell Phone
Blanket
Four Drink Bottles
Cell Phone
Notebook
Wallet (Benjamin Strack)
Four Drink Containers
Cell Phone
Drink Cup
Ipod
Pill Bottles
Drink Cup
Towel (Red substance)
Garbage can contents
Two Drink containers
Laptop computer
Pitcher of Red Juice
Bag of medications
Baggy of marijuana
Empty sleep aid boxes
Purple bucket yellow liquid
Wallet (Wojtkiewicz)
Briefcase with official documents (Birth Certificate Social Security info)
I, Detective JEFFERY M ELLSWORTH of Springville Police, by whom this warrant was
executed, do swear that the above listed or below attached inventory contains a true
and detailed account of all the property taken by me under the warrant, on the 28th
day of September, 2014.
- Page 2 of Return of Service for Search Warrant No. 1303215 -
All of the property taken by virtue of said warrant will be retained in my custody subject
to the order of this court or of any other court in which the offense in respect to which
the property, or things taken, is triable.
I declare under criminal penalty of the State of Utah that the foregoing is true
and correct.
Executed on: 6th day of October, 2014 @ 08:45 AM by /s/ JEFFERY M
ELLSWORTH