Past threats, blood evidence leads Logan police to arrest man in father’s death

The body of the man’s father was discovered in Logan Canyon on Friday; as a result, the 33-year-old man was taken into custody and placed under arrest for a murder inquiry. Following reports of a body discovered close to the Franklin Snow Basin snowmobile parking area, Cache County sheriff’s deputies launched the investigation on Friday. The absence of blood, the victim’s clothing, and the absence of a car provided “evidence of the body having been moved or placed at that location” for the investigators upon their arrival, according to a police booking affidavit.

Dennis Shaw, a 77-year-old Logan resident, was named as the victim. Dennis Shaw called Logan police on July 17, stating that Clayton Shaw had turned up at his house during a mental health crisis, taken his father’s phone, “and threatened him by saying ‘I’m trying to find a way to kill you,'” according to the affidavit. Dennis Shaw also filed a report with Logan police on July 24, alleging that his son had abused him domestically. Dennis Shaw was “never without his phone, day or night, due to the needs of his business,” according to the affidavit, so it was unusual that one of his subordinates told police that he had not been able to get in touch with his boss since 3:53 p.m. on Thursday.

Employees were concerned about Dennis Shaw’s lack of response, according to police. One employee informed investigators that Clayton Shaw’s mental health had been deteriorating and that his actions were worrying his father and other staff members. According to the arrest report, the worker reported to police that Dennis Shaw “discussed the possibility that he could try to harm” him and brought up an earlier incident in which Clayton Shaw had threatened Dennis Shaw with a hatchet.

Prior police encounters included Clayton Shaw informing responding officers of “human remains and dried up skin on his property,” which looked like tree bark, and a woman in the same apartment building claiming that “she was scared of Clayton and did not know what to do.” While a search warrant was being secured, police were dispatched on Friday to keep an eye on Dennis Shaw’s residence. Clayton Shaw was seen by the police coming at the residence at approximately 3:10 p.m., knocking on the door before getting back in the vehicle and leaving.

A 77-year-old man was discovered dead in Logan Canyon on Friday; the Cache County Sheriff’s Office is looking into the death. He had his son arrested early on Saturday. During a traffic check, the officers found a knife with what appeared to be blood on it near the handle, according to the affidavit. Several blood droplets were found inside Clayton Shaw’s truck, and “what seemed to be a blood fingerprint near the bumper.” The search also turned up an empty Lysol hydrogen peroxide cleaner bottle in the car’s backseat that looked to have been bought lately, according to the authorities.

According to Clayton Shaw’s statement during his police interrogation, his father simply dropped off his dog and went, even though they were meant to meet to discuss money. Clayton Shaw did not inquire about further information or how his father died when the police informed him that he was dead, according to the affidavit. According to the authorities, Clayton denied stabbing his father when questioned afterwards. Early on Saturday, Clayton Shaw was detained and lodged into the Cache County Jail in connection with a murder investigation.

“This case is still being investigated and no other details will be released at this time,” a news release from the Cache County Sheriff’s Office says. “Detectives are asking the public who may have any information concerning this case or the victim and suspect, as well as Clayton’s black BMW and the victim’s white Ford F-150 truck, to contact detectives.” Additionally, officials said Dennis Shaw’s body was transported to the Utah State Medical Examiner’s Office where an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death.