Background: The home in Spanish Fork, Utah, where Timothy and Jeannie Parker were found dead in March 2023 (Google Maps). Inset (top): Tryston Erickson (Grand County Sheriff”s Office). Inset (bottom): Timothy and Jeannie Parker (Walker Funeral Home).
A man from Utah, accused of the tragic shooting of his mother and stepfather, is moving closer to facing trial, three years after the event in question.
Tryston Erickson, 30, has been charged with multiple offenses related to the deaths of his 50-year-old mother, Jeannie Parker, and 58-year-old stepfather, Timothy Parker. The couple was discovered lifeless in their residence in Spanish Fork, Utah, on March 14, 2023. According to court documents reported by NBC affiliate KSL, authorities conducted a welfare check on the Parkers after they failed to appear at work for several days.
Upon entering the home, officers found the Parkers’ bodies partially shrouded in blankets in a basement bedroom. Both had succumbed to gunshot wounds.
Inside the residence, law enforcement reported uncovering about two dozen firearms, spent bullet casings, and bullet holes in the walls. Blood stains were visible on the stairs leading to the basement where the Parkers were discovered. The documents suggest attempts were made to clean up the scene, including washing blood-stained clothing.
The documents, also reviewed by ABC affiliate KTVX, reveal that Erickson, who shared the home with the Parkers, was missing, along with Jeannie Parker’s Hyundai Elantra—a vehicle Erickson was not permitted to use. Her phone was traced to a location in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Erickson was eventually located by police in Grand County, Colorado, and apprehended after a high-speed pursuit while driving his mother’s car.
During police questioning, Erickson reportedly claimed his last interaction with the Parkers was on March 13, 2023, at dinner. He later confessed to taking the car and phone without permission, according to police statements.
Police asked Erickson why he fled to Colorado. He allegedly responded, “I knew I was going to jail anyway, and I thought I would have a little fun.”
Police found firearms and bank cards that belonged to other members of Erickson’s family. He was arrested and extradited back to Utah.
When police searched Erickson’s phone, they found photos of the Parkers’ bodies that were taken on March 12, 2023. Police spoke to the Parkers’ neighbors, who said they saw Erickson standing outside the house the same day, smoking a cigarette.
Timothy Parker’s co-workers told police that he was reportedly trying to evict Erickson from the house shortly before his death.
Erickson was charged with two counts of aggravated murder, obstruction of justice, theft, abuse or desecration of a human body, three weapons charges, and unlawful possession or use of a financial card.
According to reporting by KTVX, Erickson’s trial was delayed in early 2024 following a motion to determine his competency to stand trial. After several hearings, Erickson was deemed competent in December 2025. Following hearings on March 17 and May 1, a judge ruled that there was enough evidence to move forward with Erickson’s double murder trial.
Erickson remains in custody and will be arraigned on June 10.
