A 43-year-old mother in Utah was killed in what has been identified as a murder-suicide, occurring just one day after she officially filed for divorce.
According to officials, the victim, Lindha Paola Zerpa Lara, was found dead at her home in Herriman on Friday night, alongside the body of a 55-year-old man. Police arrived after receiving a request for a welfare check from relatives who were unable to reach her.
Initial investigation results show that the woman died from blunt force trauma, while the man died from a self-inflicted injury.
Family members stated that the victim planned to meet her estranged husband—the father of her 10-year-old child—on the same day the incident occurred. The child was not at the scene at the time of the incident.
Court records confirm that the woman had filed for divorce only a day earlier, a domestic violence tragedy reminiscent of the case where a Utah mother killed her daughter which previously sparked public outcry.
The victim was originally from Venezuela and had lived in the U.S. for about eight years. She owned the beauty business Pao Glow Beauty, established in 2022, but the facility was destroyed in a fire two months ago.
Friends described her as someone who always actively contributed to the community and founded a cancer support organization called “We All Must Shine.” This spirit of dedication is also often seen in inspiring figures such as cancer researcher Stephanie Buttermore, who recently passed away.
The case is currently still under investigation, while friends and relatives are calling for those experiencing domestic violence to speak up and seek timely support following such tragic cases of mothers being murdered.
