Indian artifact informant Ted Gardiner commits suicide

HOLLADAY — A suicidal man who shot and killed himself during a confrontation with police Monday was the informant who helped federal officials in a case involving stolen Indian artifacts in the Four Corners region.

A lover of Native American culture, the work Ted Dan Gardiner, 52, did for the FBI was work he did voluntarily, his son Dustin Gardiner said. He wanted to protect a history that was important to him.

"He had a passion for Southwestern archaeology and Native American culture," Dustin Gardiner said. "It was something he didn't want to see destroyed or disrespected."

Last summer, federal officials wrapped up a 2 1/2-year investigation in the Four Corners area, with the indictment of 26 people, including several prominent community members from the southern Utah town of Blanding. The indictments accused them of violating the Archaeological Resources Protection Act. The government believes the defendants were selling or attempting to sell artifacts taken from federal land.

Gardiner is the third person involved in the sting to take his own life since the case has unfolded. Two defendants, Blanding physician James Redd and Steven Shrader, of New Mexico, killed themselves following their arrests in June 2009.

"He (Ted Gardiner) had a history of mental issues and substance abuse problems, and the cases seemed to aggravate that," Dustin Gardiner said. "When the first two suicides occurred, it bothered him deeply. ... He was under a lot of pressure, and I know that was really weighing on him."

Ted Gardiner died Monday night following a standoff with officers from the Unified Police Department. Although the UPD, FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office would not confirm whether the man who died Monday was the same person who acted as the undercover informant, the victim's name, birth date and address all match those of the informant.

Officers were called on a report of a suicidal man about 6 p.m. Monday near 1700 East and Meadowmoor Drive (4995 South). Gardiner, who lived with three roommates, reportedly talked to some of his roommates while holding a gun, went into a bedroom and fired a shot, said UPD Lt. Don Hutson.

The roommates immediately left and called 911.

Two arriving officers entered the house and found themselves in a room about 30 feet away from where Gardiner was located, Hutson said. Only one officer could see Gardiner.

Police talked to Gardiner until he allegedly began pointing his weapon at them. Shots were fired by both the officer and Gardiner. It was unclear Tuesday if the man fired at officers or just at himself, Hutson said.

The state medical examiner's preliminary report listed the probable cause of death as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Hutson said.

"The round fired by the officer could not have caused his death," he said.