Father tried to kill self, disabled son with drug cocktail, police say

SALT LAKE CITY — A father accused of trying to kill his adult disabled son and then take his own life was arrested by police.

Unified police were called to Intermountain Medical Center Wednesday by staff members who said they were treating two overdose victims. One man, 57, told doctors he "attempted to commit suicide by taking prescription medication and also attempted to kill his 31-year-old disabled son by giving him the same medication," according to a Salt Lake County Jail report.

The man told investigators he had gotten into a fight with his wife and was feeling "overwhelmed." He said he was the primary caretaker for his son, who has cerebral palsy, and didn't want to "burden anyone else" with having to take care of his son after he committed suicide, the report states. He said he "wanted them both to die."

The man allegedly prepared a cocktail of prescription medications and sleeping pills. He told police he also had a gun, but didn't want to use it because it was "too messy." After failing to take their lives, the man drove himself and his son to the hospital for treatment.

The son was released to the custody of his mother. Michael Martin was booked into jail for investigation of attempted murder.

— Pat Reavy

Twitter: DNewsCrimeTeam