A Utah man accused of murdering his mother and stepfather is now one step closer to standing trial more than three years after the shocking killings rocked a quiet neighborhood in Spanish Fork.
Thirty-year-old Tryston Erickson is facing a long list of charges tied to the deaths of his mother, Jeannie Parker, 50, and his stepfather, Timothy Parker, 58. The couple were discovered dead inside their Utah home on March 14, 2023, after they mysteriously stopped showing up for work, according to court documents obtained by local outlets.
Police were asked to perform a welfare check at the home after friends and co-workers became concerned. What officers reportedly found inside was horrifying.
Investigators said the bodies of Jeannie and Timothy Parker were discovered in a basement bedroom, partially covered with blankets. Both had suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
Authorities also described the home as a disturbing crime scene. According to charging documents, police found nearly two dozen firearms scattered throughout the house, along with shell casings, bullet holes in the walls, and blood leading down the staircase to the basement.
Investigators also believed someone had tried to clean up the scene before police arrived. Court records stated there were signs of blood cleanup efforts and clothing with blood stains had reportedly been placed in the laundry.
As police searched the home, they realized Erickson — who lived with the couple — was missing. Also gone was Jeannie Parker’s Hyundai Elantra, which authorities said Erickson was not allowed to drive.
Police later tracked Jeannie Parker’s cellphone to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Erickson was eventually located in Grand County, Colorado, where authorities said he led officers on a high-speed chase while driving his mother’s stolen vehicle before finally being arrested.
During questioning, Erickson allegedly admitted to taking both the car and the cellphone. When investigators asked why he fled to Colorado, police said he chillingly replied, “I knew I was going to jail anyway, and I thought I would have a little fun.”
Investigators later uncovered even more disturbing evidence.
According to police, Erickson’s cellphone allegedly contained photos of his mother and stepfather’s bodies that were taken on March 12, 2023 — two days before the victims were officially discovered. Neighbors also reportedly told investigators they saw Erickson standing outside the home smoking a cigarette that same day.
Police additionally learned Timothy Parker had reportedly been trying to evict Erickson from the home shortly before the killings.
Authorities said they also found firearms and bank cards belonging to other family members in Erickson’s possession.
Erickson has been charged with two counts of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, theft, abuse or desecration of a human body, multiple weapons offenses, and unlawful possession or use of a financial card.
The case hit delays in early 2024 after questions were raised about Erickson’s mental competency to stand trial. Following months of evaluations and hearings, he was ultimately ruled competent in December 2025.
After additional court hearings in March and May of this year, a judge officially ruled there is enough evidence for the double murder case to move forward to trial.
Erickson remains behind bars and is expected to be arraigned on June 10.
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