Family of man allegedly murdered by roommate in Salt Lake City homeless shelter speaks out

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The family of a man who was murdered in his room at a homeless shelter spoke with ABC4.com Monday.

In early October, Timothy Ruthenberg, 59, was found dead in his room at the Ville 1990, a homeless shelter in the Poplar Grove neighborhood of Salt Lake City.

“My husband, Tim, was the love of my life — a kind and selfless man with the biggest heart. He loved our family, our children, and our cats. He had a gentle spirit and a smile that could light up a room,” Sia Ruthenberg, Timothy’s wife, told ABC4.com.

Timothy Ruthenberg was found dead in his room on Oct. 5, 2025. (Courtesy//Keianna Barrington)

‘Someone in the room is blue’

Sia says their family had faced multiple health problems and was forced to move in with her parents. Tensions grew amid the stress and Sia’s dad asked Timothy to leave the house.

“Tim went to stay at the shelter temporarily,” Sia said. “Even though he was at the shelter, we were still together and very much in love.”

After moving into the shelter, Timothy reportedly had problems with his roommate. On Sunday, Oct. 5, 2025, officers with the Salt Lake City Police Department were dispatched to Timothy’s room at the shelter after a staff member reported “someone in the room is blue.” After arriving, police found Timothy deceased on the floor.

“Losing him so suddenly, in such a cruel and senseless way, has broken me. I wake up crying every day with this heaviness in my heart that I can’t put into words,” Sia said. “I feel so lost without him.”

Crews with the Salt Lake City Fire Department quickly confirmed he was deceased shortly before 11:30 a.m. However, court documents claim that security camera footage shows his roommate, Michael Bynum, 54, leaving the property just after 1:30 a.m.

Evidence of foul play

Shortly after confirming his death, police say they found a “light pattern of bruising” on Timothy’s torso possibly caused by a shoe or boot.

An autopsy conducted by the State Medical Examiner’s Office showed Timothy had suffered broken ribs and interior trauma to his spleen and liver caused by blunt force trauma. Documents show the injuries “would not be due to natural causes.”

SLCPD was able to locate Bynum one day after the murder. He allegedly told officers that Timothy would often prevent him from sleeping by “[talking] to his girlfriend at night” and having the TV on. Shelter staff even visited the room and instructed Timothy that he’d need to take such phone calls outside.

Sia says she last saw her husband on Friday, Oct. 3. “We spoke again Saturday night, and then on Sunday, October 5th, my life changed forever.”

Bynum told police about an incident that occurred between the two roommates shortly after the staff member left the room. He told officers that he had attempted to go to the bathroom when Timothy allegedly struck him twice in the jaw. Bynum told the officers he then “choked him out” in an attempt to stop him from hitting him. Timothy then went limp on the floor of the room.

According to a probable cause statement, Bynum then grabbed some personal items before leaving. He says he heard his roommate snoring after the incident. After being informed that his roommate had died, Bynum allegedly told officers that he “did not intend to kill” Timothy.

Bynum has yet to be formally charged, but is currently being held at the Salt Lake County Jail.

Remembering Timothy

“Tim will always be remembered for his kindness, his courage, and his love. My heart will always ache for him,” Sia added.

(Courtesy//Keianna Barrington)

Sia says her husband was waiting to get an organ transplant as he battled kidney failure. “Even while battling kidney failure, he never gave up. He fought so hard to be here with us.”

“Tim was a good man who didn’t deserve what happened to him. He was sick, but he was strong and hopeful. He loved me, our family, and our life together,” Sia added.

Timothy’s family thanked everyone who has reached out and shown love since his passing. They asked for continued support through prayers as they mourn his loss.

A GoFundMe has been set up to support the family.