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Springville Man Arrested on Suspicion of Killing Mother and Another Man After Blood Evidence Found

Investigators say forensic testing points to two deaths despite no recovered remains.

Overview

  • Springville police, who arrested 28-year-old Matthew Leonard on Saturday, booked him on suspicion of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, and drug and firearm offenses.
  • A SWAT-led search of the house uncovered human blood, large pools of blood under pulled-up flooring, shell casings, a bullet slug, and holes in drywall consistent with .22 fire.
  • Detectives wrote in jail documents that the scene makes it probable Sarah Johnson and John Handricks are dead even though their bodies have not been found.
  • Four renters said they spent nine days in rooms Leonard posted on Facebook under a false lease and lost $2,400 before officers detained them during the search.
  • Witness reports placed Johnson and Handricks at the home on March 20 and described possible gunshots, which helped lead to the warrant and the ongoing search for the victims.