by West Valley City, Utah – A 25-year-old caregiver is facing three counts of murder after authorities say he left three disabled men inside a running van in a garage for hours while he went inside to eat and watch television.
Isaiah Vaughn Pulu has been charged in the deaths of Colton Moser, 25; Mosa’ati Moa, 22; and Timothy Jones, 39, according to a probable cause affidavit filed in Salt Lake County.
First responders were called on Feb. 6 to an apartment complex in the 2700 block of South High Parkway in West Valley City, just outside Salt Lake City. Police and paramedics found the three men unconscious inside a van parked in a garage.
Carbon monoxide levels dangerously high
An autopsy revealed no signs of physical trauma, and investigators believe the men died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
Authorities reported that a carbon monoxide alarm in the apartment above the garage was sounding and registered levels as high as 600 parts per million, though it remains unclear how high the concentration was inside the garage itself.
Pulu worked for Safe & Sound Services LLC, a company that provides services for adults with disabilities through Utah’s state system. His job involved transporting clients from group homes to supervised outings, such as parks or shopping centers.
Instead, according to investigators, Pulu drove the three men to his own apartment and left them inside the van with the engine running.
“I just wanted to get some food and watch my show,” Pulu allegedly told police.
Timeline contradicted by surveillance footage
Pulu told officers he arrived home around 10:30 a.m., leaving the men in the van with the heat turned on and windows down. He said he returned around 1:30 p.m. and found them unconscious.
However, Ring camera footage showed he actually arrived closer to 9 a.m. and did not check on the men for approximately four and a half hours, police said.
Investigators also allege that Pulu went in and out of the apartment several times and waited roughly 20 minutes before calling 911 after discovering the men unresponsive.
In the 911 call, Pulu reportedly claimed the garage door had been open the entire time — a statement police say was not accurate.
Employer policies and prior discipline
Detectives said Pulu’s employer confirmed that workers are not permitted to take clients to their homes. Court documents also indicate Pulu had previously been disciplined in January for abandoning clients for about 30 minutes.
When questioned by his supervisor following the incident, police allege Pulu initially gave false information about how many individuals were in the van.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced the charges during a press conference, describing the conduct as a “depraved indifference to human life.”
“There are three individuals, who are disabled individuals, who need oversight, who need care, and they are left unattended with the vehicle running for an extended period of time,” Gill said.
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Families remember victims
Family members have launched GoFundMe pages in memory of the victims.
Moser’s family described his death as a “shocking and deeply senseless act of negligence.”
“Colton had a big bright smile and a very special spirit that impacted everyone around him,” his family wrote.
Moa’s family remembered him as having “a unique personality” and “a gentle spirit,” while Jones’ family said he was “deeply loved” and his passing left a profound void.
Pulu is being held at the Salt Lake County Jail without bond as the case moves forward.
As with all criminal cases, the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
Community members are encouraged to share condolences for the victims respectfully in the comments below.
