Police in Lehi, Utah, have charged 34-year-old Brennan Dalton with murder, domestic violence in the presence of a child and public intoxication after he allegedly strangled his wife following an argument after their 7-year-old was put to bed. Dalton reportedly called 911 at about 2:15 a.m. on April 29 and said he "freaked out" and had strangled her. The victim was intubated and later showed limited responses, though doctors warned of possible brain damage. Authorities have not provided a more recent update, and Dalton's plea and legal representation remain unclear.
Utah Man Charged With Murder After Telling 911 He 'Freaked Out' and Strangled Wife
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A Utah man has been arrested and charged with murder after police say he strangled his wife following an argument after their child was put to bed, according to an affidavit obtained by PEOPLE.
What Authorities Allege
Police say 34-year-old Brennan Dalton is charged with murder, domestic violence in the presence of a child and public intoxication in connection with the April 29 incident in Lehi, Utah. At roughly 2:15 a.m., Dalton allegedly called 911 and told the dispatcher he had "freaked out" and strangled his wife, saying she was barely breathing during the call.
Police Interview And Alleged Statements
Responding officers found the woman unresponsive and having difficulty breathing. In interviews detailed in the affidavit of probable cause, Dalton allegedly said he and his wife had been drinking and that an argument began after she called him "a failure" and tried to make him sleep on the couch without a blanket.
The affidavit further alleges Dalton told investigators he had attempted suicide in November 2025 and that, afterward, he had considered it would be easier to kill his wife than to kill himself. According to the document, he stopped the assault, repeatedly apologized and then called 911.
Victim's Condition And Case Status
The woman, who is the mother of the couple's 7-year-old daughter, was intubated at a hospital. Medical staff later reported she regained some consciousness and appeared to respond when her name was called, but doctors warned there could be brain damage. Police have not released a more recent update on her condition. It was not immediately clear whether Dalton has entered a plea or retained legal counsel who could speak on his behalf.
Source: Affidavit of probable cause obtained by PEOPLE.
Resources
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. Calls are toll-free, confidential and available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
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