Man surrenders in Sanpete deaths

A man sought in connection with the slayings of two people in Sanpete County turned himself in early Saturday morning to Douglas County sheriff officials in Oregon.

Donald Bert Richardson, 48, is in custody following the slayings of Martin Cannon, 39, of Mount Pleasant and Annette Young, 46, of Fairview.

Cannon's body was found inside his home at about 11:30 p.m. on April 10, apparently killed by a gunshot wound to the head, according to Sanpete County Sheriff's Sgt. Greg Peterson. He said Young appeared to have been beaten to death and was found the next morning at her home.

"It's kind of turned the area upside down a little bit," said Peterson, who didn't know what the motive might have been. "It's not something we see every day."

Richardson is believed to have known both victims and may have been a "sweetheart" of Young's for some time, Peterson said. He said Richardson became a person of interest in the slayings after extensive interviews, investigating and evidence gathered from the crime scenes.

After learning Richardson may have ties in Arizona and Oregon, Sanpete law enforcement contacted Douglas County officials in Oregon with a description of Richardson and the car he was driving. At 5:30 p.m. Friday, Richardson was spotted at a gas station in Burns, Ore. A Douglas County sheriff's statement said Richardson turned himself in at 12:40 a.m. on Saturday.

"He just realized he better go turn himself in," Peterson said about the pressure Richardson must have been feeling. "Finding out he is in custody is a huge relief."

Peterson said Richardson has a criminal history but mostly outside of Sanpete County. He said Richardson may have been between homes, living alternately in Mount Pleasant and Fairview.

Richardson will spend time in the Douglas County Jail until he is transported back to Utah. "Douglas County was extremely helpful to us," Peterson said. Richardson is being held on a fugitive warrant.

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E-mail: sspeckman@desnews.com