Unsealed Warrants Reveal Significant Evidence in Saratoga Springs Double Homicide Investigation

Newly unsealed search warrants in the Saratoga Springs double homicide investigation have shed light on significant forensic evidence collected by detectives, even as they face ongoing challenges securing cooperation from key witnesses. According to court records released this week, investigators have recovered a backpack containing bloody clothing and a mask, while noting that the teenage son of the victim has ceased communicating with police upon the advice of counsel.

The investigation centers on the March 28 shooting deaths of Jessica Orton Lyman, 44, and her 8-year-old son, Eli Painter, at their home in Saratoga Springs, Utah. Documents state that Lyman’s 17-year-old daughter discovered her mother and brother suffering from gunshot wounds upon returning home. Eli Painter was pronounced dead at the scene, having sustained two gunshot wounds to the head, while Lyman died days later at a local hospital. A 15-year-old son, found unharmed in the home, initially told officers he had been sleeping and heard nothing.

According to the unsealed affidavits, the 15-year-old boy exhibited behavior that drew the attention of investigators. Officers noted that when asked about weapons, the teen claimed he was unaware of any guns, despite not having been informed by first responders that the incident involved firearms. Additionally, police recovered photos from the teen’s phone showing him holding a 9mm handgun and found handwritten notes in his bedroom referencing “forensic evidence,” “DNA,” and “murder stories.” One note reportedly indicated suicidal ideation.

Surveillance footage from the neighborhood recorded between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on the night of the murders captured a masked individual walking through the area. Warrants describe the subject as wearing a dark hoodie, shorts, and a specific mask with a skull print. On April 13, a backpack was discovered in reeds along a nearby riverbank. Inside, detectives found a hoodie and gloves with dried blood, a flashlight, and a black neck gaiter with a skull print matching the one seen in the video. The backpack also contained animal hair consistent with pets from the Lyman residence.

The investigation has faced hurdles regarding witness cooperation. The 15-year-old son, who is currently staying with his father in Cedar Hills, has retained legal counsel and declined further interviews. Detectives also served a warrant on the father’s home, seizing .22 caliber ammunition—the same caliber used in the homicides—and electronic devices. The affidavits indicate that the father has delayed providing surveillance video from his own residence, citing file size issues. As of this report, Saratoga Springs police have not named any official suspects.

Investigative Outlook

The unsealing of these warrants highlights a complex investigative landscape where physical evidence is accumulating despite a distinct lack of testimonial cooperation. With family members retaining counsel and withholding interviews, Saratoga Springs detectives are increasingly reliant on forensic results from the Utah State Crime Lab to establish a definitive timeline. The discovery of the discarded backpack and digital forensic data provides law enforcement with critical leads, yet the absence of an arrest nearly three months post-incident suggests a methodical approach by prosecutors to ensure that any future charges are supported by irrefutable material evidence. It is important to note that no formal charges have been filed, and all individuals involved in the investigation are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.