Saturday, July 2, 2011

South Jordan, UT: 911 tapes released from murder-suicide

SOUTH JORDAN — "I think I just saw a murder-suicide," an unidentified caller tells a 911 dispatcher.

Friday, audio recordings from the 911 calls made on June 21 moments after Douglas Irwin shot and killed his wife, Jana Lynn Irwin, and then turned the gun on himself, were released through a Government Records and Access Management Act request.

Police believe Jana Irwin, 46, had filed for divorce from Douglas Irwin, 51, that morning. The two were seen arriving together at South Jordan City Park, 10950 S. Redwood Road, talking briefly under a pavilion and then walk back to their SUV.

While walking back, police believe Douglas shot Jana in the head before also shooting himself in the head. Jana Irwin died immediately. Douglas Irwin was taken to a local hospital and died two days later.

In two 911 calls released Friday, two men who remained mostly calm but sounded a little shocked, made separate calls to dispatchers immediately after the shootings.

"One's still breathing and the lady doesn't look like she's breathing," said one man whose name was not released.

Callers said they could see a handgun near Doug Irwin's hand.

"He's still breathing in and out," said a caller. "They've both been shot in the head. ... No, he's not alert at all."

"I just heard a gunshot, saw a lady flop down, then I saw a dude commit suicide," said another caller. "She is not breathing. She is not moving. ... I think he's beyond help."

South Jordan police investigated the couple's, and Doug Irwin's, history in their investigation. According to court records, two of Irwin's previous three wives had at one point filed for protective orders against him.

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