HOLLADAY — A Holladay man who police say claimed he helped his dad kill himself earlier his month was charged Tuesday with murder.
Shane Paul Wright, 24, was charged in 3rd District Court with the first-degree felony in the death of Bryan Wright, 53. Charges say Shane Wright "intentionally or knowingly caused the death" of his father.
On Oct. 1, police were called to a home at 4034 Solar Circle on a report of an attempted suicide, according to a Salt Lake County Jail report. Bryan Wright was allegedly discovered unconscious with a noose around his neck, breathing shallowly. He died from his injuries on Oct. 5.
Shane Wright told police at the time that "he needed to aid with his dad's death in order to help his dad through all his pain," the jail report says.
The man told police "he put his hands around his dad's neck and squeezed, but he didn't feel like he had enough strength," charges allege.
"(Shane) Wright described strangling his father with an extension cord and smothering him with a pillow," charges state.
Shane Wright was in the front yard when emergency responders arrived, according to court documents. His father was discovered inside the home.
Bryan Wright showed "no indication of brain activity" while hospitalized in the days leading up to his death, court documents say. A medical examiner concluded after an autopsy that he had died by strangulation and that his death was a homicide.
Shane Wright remained in the Salt Lake County Jail on Tuesday. A search of court records indicates he has no significant criminal history in Utah.
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