Family releases statement on Saratoga Springs homicide where woman, 8-year-old were killed

SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah (ABC4) — The family of the woman and 8-year-old found dead in Saratoga Springs has released a statement asking for help and expressing their hope that justice will be served.

The Saratoga Springs Police Department reiterated in the press release that neither police nor the family participated in the release of information uncovered from search warrants.

In March, the Saratoga Springs Police Department identified the two victims of a double homicide as Eli Painter, 8, and Jessica Lyman, 44. 8-year-old Painter would be pronounced deceased at the scene. Lyman passed away three days after the incident, on March 31.

No suspects have been publicly identified by authorities, and information in unsealed search warrants only reveals evidence collected by police. At this time, police say they are still investigating and working toward justice.

According to the Saratoga Springs Police Department, the families of the victims have been “extremely cooperative,” and police are committed to working closely with them “in the pursuit of justice.”

In a statement released by the family, they ask that anyone with information come forward to help with the investigation. The Orton Family shared their gratitude to the police department and expressed the depth of their grief following the loss of Eli Painter and Jessica Lyman.

The statement can be read in full below.

It has been over three months since a tragic act of gun violence took the lives of our beautiful daughter and sister, Jessica Lyman, and our precious 8 year old grandson and nephew, Eli Painter.

Not a moment passes that we don’t feel the weight of this unimaginable loss. Our family is forever changed. While we continue to wait for answers, we remain hopeful that justice will be served and those responsible will be held accountable.

If you have any information that could help move this case forward, we urge you to come forward and contact the Saratoga Springs Police Department. Jessica and Eli deserve justice, and even the smallest detail could help law enforcement in their ongoing investigation.

On behalf of our family, we want to express our deepest gratitude to the Saratoga Springs Police Department and all the agencies working tirelessly on this case.  We are also profoundly thankful for the outpouring of love and support we have received from the community, our friends, and our extended family during this heartbreaking time.

We miss Jessica and Eli every single moment of every single day.  When we are together as a family, we can’t help but feel incomplete.  We miss their smiles, their laughter, and their joyful spirits. Please continue to keep our family, and everyone affected by this senseless tragedy, in your thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,
The Orton Family