LAVERKIN, Washington County — A 26-year-old mother of three is dead, and her ex-boyfriend is in jail on suspicion of murder.
Floyd Corry Robinson, 36, was arrested Sunday evening and booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility on a first-degree felony count of aggravated murder and a third-degree felony charge of driving under the influence. He remained in jail Tuesday with bail set at $505,000 cash or bond.
Brea Lynn Kirchoff, 26, was shot once around 8:30 p.m. on Sunday and transported to Dixie Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Her young children were at home at the time, according to a police report.
Police were alerted by a 911 call from a neighbor who heard the alleged shooting, the report states.
Robinson appeared before 5th District Judge G. Rand Beacham in a probable cause hearing Tuesday via video monitor from Purgatory Correctional Facility in Hurricane.
Washington County attorney Brock Belnap said formal charges will be filed by 10 a.m. Thursday. Prosecutors must determine whether this case warrants a charge of aggravated murder, which carries the possibility of the death penalty.
"It's an ongoing investigation. The judge gave us a couple of extra days to file formal charges," said Belnap, whose office will prosecute the case.
Kirchoff was employed as a housekeeper in Springdale, just outside Zion National Park. She is survived by two daughters and one son.
Robinson's legal history includes a 1987 arrest for third-degree felony theft and class A misdemeanor theft (both charges reduced); a 1997 arrest for class A misdemeanor unlawful sale/supply of alcohol to a minor; numerous traffic citations and driving without a license.
This is the first homicide to be investigated by LaVerkin's small police force, which was formally organized just a couple of years ago. Prior to that, the city contracted with the county sheriff's department for its law enforcement needs.
E-mail: nperkins@desnews.com