Caring grandparents Larry and Deborah Dutton, who had raised their granddaughter Heidi since she was a baby in Dewey, Oklahoma, had cultivated a nurturing environment for her. Larry, a retired US Air Force master staff sergeant and former airport manager, and Deborah, also retired from the Air Force and a former chef, were well-known for their kindness and generosity in the community where they had lived for over 40 years.
Heidi, at 17, had been dating Lucas Walker, 20, for a short time, and he frequently visited their rural farmhouse. Before meeting Walker online, Heidi had been a typical teenager, but her behavior had changed, becoming more isolated and influenced by her older boyfriend.
Concern arose in January 2023 when family and neighbors realized they had not seen Larry and Deborah since before Christmas. Several requests were made to the police for a welfare check.
Upon visiting the property on January 19, the police detected a strong odor of decomposing flesh and cleaning products, prompting further investigation. A search warrant was obtained, leading to a grim discovery of a crime scene within the property where Larry and Deborah’s bodies were found buried in the backyard.
Dutton and Walker, present during the police search, were subsequently arrested and confessed to the murders. Details emerged of a premeditated attack on the elderly couple, with Walker carrying out the brutal killings while Dutton assisted in the cover-up.
Walker pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 35-year prison sentence, while Dutton, facing more severe charges, including first-degree murder and conspiracy, was sentenced to life in prison with a possibility of parole after serving 85% of a 45-year term.
The tragic incident shocked the tight-knit community, raising questions about the motive behind the heinous crime, as Larry and Deborah, who had provided a loving home for their granddaughter, met a horrific end at her hands.
