In a middle class suburb outside of Salt Lake City, Utah, Kathy Peterson heard frantic screams and pounding at her front door.  She opened it to an injured woman and three young girls, and immediately brought the group inside her home.  Saying a prayer, she gave the girls teddy bears and called for emergency assistance. “He’s killing everybody and he’s trying to kill us,” the woman teary-eyed shouted.  Paramedics arrived at the scene moments later.

Jeremy Patterson. Image Courtesy of Heavy.com

The extent of the relationship between Rackley and Patterson also remains unclear, but police are trying to get the full picture from interviews with mutual acquaintances. Patterson lived in the suburb of Draper.  He has been described as a muscular, body builder type and potentially practiced martial arts.  He did not have a criminal record, and no prior protective order requests were filed against the man.Rackley was married to another man at the time of her death. The two had been separated for a period of time, but a family spokesperson, Jeff White, said the married couple “both loved each other very much.”  Her husband is doing well, but understandably, grieving the loss of his wife and youngest child.  White said, “She was an amazing mother. She’s beloved by all of her friends and family...just totally adored by the whole community.   He also indicated he’s unsure of the extent of her association with Patterson.  The injured boy missed his 5th grade elementary school graduation this past Wednesday, and he was offered a standing ovation by the crowd.  Counselors were available on site to offer students and parents help with grieving the loss of the student and his mother, and police officers were stationed around the school.  Toni Linsenmeyer, whose daughter was a classmate of the deceased boy and played soccer on the same co-ed team, said the team was coached by Rackley’s husband.  Both parents attended all of the games, even when separated. “It breaks my heart,” she said.

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