The family of a woman killed Wednesday in Midvale in what police called a domestic homicide described Utahna Halona Erickson as “the most beautiful, loving and amazing soul” who “will be greatly missed.”
“She made everything beautiful and always went out of her way to bring family and friends together,” Shirlee Silversmith, Halona Erickson’s mother, said in a statement Friday on the Utah Homicide Survivors Facebook page.
Halona Erickson, who was a “daughter, sister, auntie, granddaughter, friend and above all wonderful mother,” was stabbed at a home in the 100 block of W. Settlement Circle, according to police.
Officers were called to the house just after 6 p.m. Wednesday after two children ran to a neighbor’s house and said their father was hurting their mother, Sgt. Melody Cutler said. The fire department declared Halona Erickson dead at the scene.
Police also found a man at the home in serious condition from what appeared to be self-inflicted knife wounds, Cutler said. The man, who is a suspect, was transferred to a hospital, where he remained Saturday morning, according to Detective Kevin Mallory. The man was out of the ICU, but he is expected to be in the hospital through the weekend and then be booked in jail, Mallory said. Formal charges had not been filed as of Saturday morning.
Halona Erickson “was taken from us way too soon in a way that we will never understand,” Silversmith said.
“Our family has been strengthened and lifted up by everyone’s love and support during this difficult and challenging time,” her statement reads. “The posts and beautiful comments from everyone that knew her have touched us all and for that you’ve joined our ‘family circle.’”
An online fundraiser was set up to support Halona Erickson’s two children, who “have a long and difficult road ahead of them that no child should have to travel,” Silversmith said, adding that “we will come together as an army of family & friends to love and protect them.” Donations can be made online or by texting “Utahna” to 44-321. More than $21,000 had been raised as of Sunday evening.
“We miss you Tahna, and we will forever cherish our memories. Until we meet again we’ll keep the imprint of your love permanently engraved in our hearts and souls and we will honor you by raising your kids together and staying strong together as a family, #Halonastrong,” Silversmith said.
The family also thanked the “amazing police officers, detectives, victim advocates, EMS, firefighters, and other public servants who have sacrificed their time to support, uplift, and mourn with us.”
Editors note: Those who are experiencing intimate partner violence, or know someone who is, can also call the Utah Domestic Violence Link Line, 1-800-897-LINK (5465), or the Utah Rape and Sexual Assault Crisis Line, 1-888-421-1100. To report child abuse and neglect, call the Division of Child and Family Services hotline at 1-855-323-DCFS. For emergencies, call 911.
