Family asks for answers in the 1971 unsolved homicides

SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) — The Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for information on the two unsolved homicides from 1971.

On Sept. 2, 1971, Michael Bown and Carolyn Kingston were both shot at Natter’s Market. Law enforcement shared that it appeared to be a robbery. Bown was pronounced deceased at the scene. Kingston succumbed to her injuries two years later.

Detective Ben Pender shared that Kingston was taken to the back of the store and shot in the presence of her four-year-old son.

A witness saw the suspect leaving and gave law enforcement a description. He said the suspect was tan, had black curly hair, and was clean shaven. He was approximately five feet and seven inches tall with a slender build.

The sheriff’s office has released a new composite photo and a picture of the suspect’s watch.

Pender reported that a second witness, who was at the market just before the shootings, came forward shortly after the incident. They told police that they had seen a dark colored, run-down, Chevy Malibu in the parking lot. The witness stated that the engine was running, but no one was inside.

Families ask for answers

The families of Bown and Kingston are asking for answers.

Michael’s brother spoke at the press conference expressing how hard it was to lose his brother. He said that he will never forget the day that he saw his mother crying after losing her son.

“I have relieved that day countless times over the years in my mind,” the brother said. “I just always kept asking myself ‘why him?'”.

The Bown family wants to get justice.

“He was so needed and so loved by everyone in our family,” the brother said.

Additionally, the family of Kingston provided a letter. Sheriff Rosie Rivera read it at the press conference.

The family shared that they want answers. The suspect took the life of a mother of two boys who loved her.

“Our mother was everything to us,” said one of the sons in the letter. “We were so young when she was taken, but we never stopped thinking about her.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.