Authorities recently searched the property of the mother of a Eureka teen reported missing since Dec. 30, according to a new search warrant affidavit.
Brelynne Otteson, 17, and Riley Powell, 18, were officially reported as missing on Jan. 2 after leaving Tooele to Eureka a few days prior. Powell's missing jeep was found on Jan. 11 with both passenger-side tires flat about a mile south of Cherry Creek Reservoir.
Based on evidence collected, the Juab County Sheriff's Offices announced that foul play is suspected.
A warrant unsealed Monday in Tooele County's 3rd District Court states: "The rear passenger tire had a puncture in the side wall that appeared to be straight in with a smaller flat shaped object. The front passenger tire had two punctures identical to the rear tire. There was no tear in the side wall that would indicate that the tires were moving when punctured."
According to a witness report, a truck was seen pulling a jeep like the one Riley drove on Jan. 2 in the Lofgreen area, between Vernon and Eureka. The description of the truck matched that of a vehicle driven by the boyfriend of Powell's mother, according to the warrant.
Tooele County sheriff's deputies and deputies from the Sanpete/Juab Major Crimes Task force went to the property where Powell's mother lives with her boyfriend on Jan. 15, the warrant states. A camouflage tie down strap, identical to one found in Powell's jeep was seized.
Public domain photo.