‘Suicide pact’ leads to Utah woman facing murder charge after allegedly killing friend

Trevor Myers
·1 min read
3

This post may contain graphic images or details. Reader discretion is advised.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, Utah (ABC4) — A woman was arrested on Tuesday after she allegedly shot and killed her best friend as part of an apparent suicide pact, according to arrest documents.

Heavenly Faith Garfield, 21, was arrested for one count of murder and one count of felony discharge of a firearm, both of which are first degree felonies.

READ NEXT: Tim Ballard’s victims claim connection between him and late LDS apostle

“Officers responded inside the residence where they found a 21-year-old female who was obviously deceased,” an affidavit of probable cause said.

At the scene, detectives found one 9mm bullet that was fired from a handgun, and the gun was found near the victim’s body, according to arrest documents.

According to arrest documents, officers went to a home in Saratoga Springs after a caller — later identified as Garfield’s father — told officers that a 21-year-old woman died from a gunshot wound in the house. He told dispatchers that his daughter shot the victim as part of a pact.

Officers interviewed numerous family members of Garfield, according to documents. Through those interviews, they learned that the woman they found dead “allegedly had a suicide pact with Heavenly Faith Garfield,” the affidavit said.

Detectives also made contact with a friend of the victim, and the friend showed text messages from the victim that said she wanted to commit suicide but “was too scared to kill herself,” the affidavit said.

“The friend told Detectives that the victim had also told him that she intended to commit suicide with her friend, whom he identified as Heavenly Faith, and that one of them would kill the other, and then kill themselves,” the affidavit said.

The pair had reportedly been planning on taking their own lives together “for multiple weeks,” the affidavit said.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call the suicide prevention hotline at 988. National Alliance on Mental Illness Utah: namiut.org

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.