Police Burst into Utah Home to Find Man Stabbing His Parents to Death, Then They Fatally Shoot Him

Mar. 15, 2025

Erik Bertelsen his parents, 63-year-old Terrie Bertelsen, and 67-year-old Kerry Bertelsen.Photo:McDougal Funeral Home (3)

McDougal Funeral Home (3)

Police in West Valley City, Utah released body camera footage on Monday that showed Erik Bertelsen repeatedly stabbing one of his parents on the floor of their basement on New Year’s Day, when officers entered and demanded he drop the knife. Bertelsen, 35, did not comply.

The dispatcher “heard a commotion” on the line, but couldn’t collect information on the caller, West Valley City Police Deputy Chief Mike Fossmosaid at a press conferenceon Monday. Afterwards, Fossmo said, the dispatcher “left the line open and sent officers to the home.”

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The outlet reported that Bertelsen had threatened to kill people at a party he was hosting at his parents' residence in 2019 and was convicted of kidnapping in 2020 after threatening to kill his then-girlfriend and not letting her leave his parents' house.

West Valley City Police Chief Colleen Jacobs said at the Monday press conference that police had been sent out to the home on previous occasions. She called the incident a “tragedy” when asked about the body cam footage on Monday.

“I see a tragedy, with the parties involved, and for the officers involved as well,” Jacobs told reporters.

“It was very traumatic event for the officers,” Jacobs added, “but they are pulling through.”

source: people.com