A Utah man was charged Monday with stabbing his wife to death nearly two weeks earlier.
John Erickson, 41, was charged with murdering Utahna Erickson, 41, at their Salt Lake County home on October 28. Responding officers observed blood all over the home and discovered Utahna Erickson’s body in a master bedroom, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
John Erickson was also found in the bedroom with severe lacerations to his arms and neck. He admitted to trying to take his own life, the news outlet reported.
The couple’s 11-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter were home at the time of the incident and reportedly tried to intervene.
The girl told police she heard her mother scream before witnessing her father stabbing her mother. She tried to stop her father but was cut with the knife — causing an “extensive injury to her fingers” which required surgery, police said.
According to People magazine, the complaint stated that the 7-year-old had “blood on her face and clothes and severe cuts on her hand.”
The 11-year-old reportedly also tried to stop the attack by punching and kicking his father. He eventually ran to a neighbor’s home to get help.
“It was my dad that made it happen,” the boy reportedly told officers.
John Erickson claimed he “just f**king snapped” and took out his rage on “one of the sweetest people around,” the complaint alleged, according to People.
“[John Erickson] admitted that he cut Utahna’s throat and knew she was going to die,” the complaint stated.
John Erickson was also charged with child abuse and domestic violence in the presence of a child. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 12.
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to the latest episode.
[Featured image: John Erickson/Salt Lake County Jail; Utahna Erickson/GiveLively]
