SPRINGVILLE, UT — A Springville community is on edge as local authorities released chilling details in a double-homicide case where the victims have yet to be found. Matthew Jacob Leonard, 28, was charged Sunday in 4th District Court with the murders of his mother, Sarah Johnson, and a Salt Lake City man, John Waldron Handricks.
Despite the heavy charges, police face a grim reality: as of Monday, the bodies of both Johnson and Handricks remain missing.
A Night of Gunshots and Terror
The investigation traces back to the late hours of March 19. According to charging documents, Leonard and his mother picked up Handricks, 50, in Salt Lake City and returned to the Springville residence they shared. Witnesses told police that after Johnson and Handricks went to sleep, Leonard followed them into the house.
The situation turned violent when witnesses, waiting outside for a ride, approached the front door. They reported hearing five distinct gunshots followed by “loud bangs.” Moments later, Leonard allegedly exited the home and spoke briefly with them. Terrified, the witnesses fled the area on foot.
The Chilling Search for Evidence
The case remained quiet until April 6, when a family member alerted Springville Police to disturbing messages claiming Johnson was dead. When detectives finally served a search warrant on Leonard’s home and vehicle on April 11, they uncovered a gruesome scene that had been partially concealed:
- Blood Spatter: Forensic teams located human blood pooling behind baseboards and spatter on the walls of Johnson’s bedroom.
- Ballistics: A bullet was found lodged in the drywall, and five empty .22 caliber shell casings were discovered in a bag belonging to Leonard.
- The “Overdose” Cover Story: Leonard had already subleased his mother’s room to a new tenant. When asked about the woman’s clothing still in the closet, Leonard reportedly told the tenant his mother had “probably overdosed and was probably dead somewhere.”
The Fruitland Connection and the Bonfire
Data from Leonard’s phone provided a potential roadmap for investigators. His device was turned off for 12 hours following the night of the shooting. Days later, GPS data showed he spent 16 hours in a remote area of Fruitland in Duchesne County—a location police believe may be linked to the disposal of the bodies.
Further evidence of a cover-up surfaced on April 15, when a witness reported seeing Leonard burning a mattress that had been cut into pieces, along with furniture and other “miscellaneous items,” in a large bonfire. Detectives were able to recover remnants of the mattress and a smashed cellphone from the ashes.
Facing the Death Penalty
Matthew Jacob Leonard now faces a litany of charges, including:
- Two counts of Aggravated Murder (First-degree felonies)
- Obstruction of Justice
- Abuse or Desecration of a Dead Body
- Felony Discharge of a Firearm
Prosecutors have noted that due to the nature of the aggravated murder charges, Leonard could face life without parole or the death penalty if convicted.
Community Alert: Police are still searching for the remains of Sarah Johnson and John Waldron Handricks. If you have any information regarding Leonard’s movements in the Fruitland or Duchesne County areas between March 20 and April 15, please contact the Springville Police Department immediately.
How do you feel about the safety in our community following this tragic news? Share your thoughts and prayers for the victims’ families in the comments below.
