- Utah artist JR Johansen is painting a portrait to comfort a grieving family.
- Margaret Oldroyd, 86, was one of three women killed in Wayne County.
TORREY, Wayne County — A Utah artist is hoping to bring a measure of peace to the family of one of three women killed in a devastating murder last week in Wayne County.
JR Johansen, who now lives in northern Utah, grew up just outside the small town of Lyman — making the tragedy feel especially personal to him.
In the midst of his own grief, he has turned to his art, hoping a hand‑painted portrait will offer some comfort to a family experiencing unimaginable loss.
Johansen has painted hundreds of people who have died, but this portrait carries special meaning.
"I'm working on the portrait of Margaret Oldroyd," he said. "She was the one that lost her life last week, was murdered."
Margaret Oldroyd, 86, was one of three women tragically killed in Wayne County. She was shot inside her home in Lyman. The two other victims, Linda Dewey, 65, and Natalie Graves, 34, were fatally shot while on a nearby hike.
"I couldn't believe it," Johansen said. "I just couldn't believe that somebody would come into that little beautiful town and kill an elderly lady."
Having grown up near Lyman, he said the community is like family to him. The loss feels personal.
"I feel like I have been wounded because I have lost friends," he said. "I feel so sorry for the family. I can't even begin to imagine what they're going through."
Johansen hopes the portrait will help ease even a small part of that pain.
"I'm just hoping that this will bring them comfort somehow," he said.
Johansen said delivering his paintings always leads to a tender and emotional moment when loved ones see the artwork for the first time. He plans to finish the portrait before the funeral, where he will present it to the family.
