American Fork couple found dead ruled as murder-suicide, identities released

AMERICAN FORK, Utah (KUTV) — Police have ruled the couple found dead in American Fork as murder-suicide and have released the identities of both involved.

Olin Johnson, 57, has been accused of shooting his 52-year-old wife, Kerilyn Johnson, before he turned the gun on himself, police said.

RELATED: Couple found dead inside American Fork home

The couple was found dead in their home in American Fork Thursday.

"The family is requesting privacy as they grieve their loss. We express our most profound and sincere condolences to the family and friends of Olin and Kerilyn," officials wrote.

Police said investigators are waiting for testing results for the Utah Office of the Medical Examiner before final disposition is made.

“Kerilyn was literally one of the most generous, kind, supportive people that I have ever known,” said Gayle Lockwood, a retired voice teacher at BYU who had Johnson as a student, and remembers her as a friend. “She is a light that will be missed in the world.”

Kerilyn Johnson would go on to perform, teach voice herself, become a leader in a national association of singing teachers, and an adjunct faculty member at BYU.

She was a mother of six — teens to adults — and she may have mentored hundreds of people in Utah County.

“My hope is that people will continue to think and pray for her family,” Lockwood said. “These children are going to need a lot of love and support for a long time to come.”

A GoFundMe drive is underway for the Johnson kids.

Sunday evening, a candlelight vigil for the Johnson family is scheduled at Art Dye Park in American Fork. It will start at 8:30 p.m., and people are asked to bring their own candles.

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