Salt Lake City, Utah – The second episode of “The Letter’s” second season, titled “Ripple Effect,” delves into the tragic account of the second man killed in a double murder outside a Millcreek Canyon restaurant back in 1982.
On a fateful morning in March 1982, Carla Booth awoke to fresh snow blanketing the ground, igniting a sense of dread that had been lingering within her all week. Fearing for her husband, Buddy Booth, who was preparing for his work as a delivery driver, Carla implored him not to go that day, overwhelmed by a premonition of impending danger.
Despite Carla’s concerns, Buddy, known for his dedication to work, embarked on his route to Log Haven restaurant, a picturesque wedding venue nestled in Millcreek Canyon. As Buddy set off in his van, unaware of the tragic fate awaiting him, Carla traced her way back home to their two young daughters, clinging to hopes of a brighter future amid past struggles in their marriage.
Upon arriving at Log Haven, Buddy encountered a chilling scene – a man lying lifeless in the snow, a prelude to the unfolding tragedy that would claim his life and that of another individual. The sudden confrontation with a gun-wielding assailant shattered the tranquility of the snowy landscape, signaling a devastating turn of events that would forever alter Carla’s world.
Confusion and disbelief gripped Carla as she learned of her husband’s fate later that day, ushering her into a state of shock and profound grief. Left to navigate the harsh reality of widowhood with two young children, Carla grappled with anger and a desire for justice in the face of senseless violence.
In a revealing confession to detectives, the suspected perpetrator, Log Haven manager Michael Moore, laid bare the gruesome details of his actions that day, offering little solace to the grieving families left in the wake of his heinous crimes. Salt Lake Assistant District Attorney John T. Nielsen, recognizing the gravity of the case, pursued a capital murder charge, determined to secure the most stringent penalties for the double homicide that rocked the community.
As the quest for justice unfolded, Carla Booth and the families of the victims found themselves entangled in the complexities of grief, loss, and the pursuit of closure amidst the harrowing aftermath of the Millcreek Canyon murders. The resonance of their shared tragedy echoed through the corridors of the legal system, casting a shadow of solemn reflection on lives forever changed by an act of violence that rippled through their close-knit community.