Utah officials investigating the disappearance of two men last month now say the case is a homicide.
Christopher “Topher” Owens, 28, and William “Drew” Bull, 29, were last seen on February 26, according to their roommate — who has now been arrested for obstructing justice after a search on their home, according to KSL.
A mutual friend of the two missing men reported to the San Juan Sheriff’s Office that “he was concerned about one of his friends,” saying he hadn’t heard from Owens or Bull since February 25. The friend said he stopped by the home and spoke with the roommate — Charles Yoo, 35 — who told him the men weren’t there.
Shortly afterward, on February 27, Bull’s partner received a text message from Bull’s phone that appeared “suspicious,” an affidavit says. The partner said the text, which did not appear to come from Bull himself, mentioned the possibility that Owens was dead, the affidavit said.
As deputies began to investigate, they found video footage showing Owens and Bull at the Maverik store in Blanding on February 25. At that point. Yoo told investigators he saw the two leave the house on February 26 in black Dodge pickup truck.
Yoo was short on information about the Dodge, deputies wrote, despite being a vehicle mechanic.
Yoo also told investigators one of sizable collection of firearms was missing and he had left it sitting out where Owens and Bull would have had access. He said he believed the pair had gone “shooting the past couple of days,” the affidavit said.
“Due to evidence collected at the residence, interviews with Yoo, investigative techniques and the lack of proof of life from William Bull and Christopher Owens, the investigation is now being termed a homicide investigation,” the sheriff’s office said in a Facebook post.
The sheriff’s office said Yoo’s arrest was “in connection” with the disappearance of Bull and Owens.
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[Featured image: William “Drew” Bull and Christopher “Topher” Owens/San Juan County Sheriff’s Office]
