Crime
Victim killed in Cedar City drive-by shooting identified as 17-year-old KayLee Joan Dutton
Initial investigations indicate that Hunter’s vehicle was being pursued by an unidentified assailant for several miles.
Iron County investigators are appealing to the public for information regarding the tragic death of 17-year-old KayLee Joan Dutton, who was fatally shot while driving northwest of Cedar City on Friday night, Channe2 NOW has learned.
According to a statement from Iron County Sheriff’s Lt. Dave Mitchell, dispatchers received a report of gunfire targeting a vehicle at approximately 10:42 p.m. on Friday.
Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement and first responders discovered Dutton in a red pickup truck at the intersection of Midvalley Road and 4300 West.
Despite life-saving efforts by emergency personnel, the teenager succumbed to her injuries while being prepared for transport to Cedar City Hospital.
Initial investigations indicate that Dutton’s vehicle was being pursued by an unidentified assailant for several miles.
During the pursuit, the assailant’s vehicle pulled alongside Dutton’s truck and opened fire, striking her.
The gunfire caused Dutton to lose control of her vehicle, which swerved off the road, crashed through a vinyl fence, and came to rest approximately 100 feet northwest of the intersection.
Investigators are urging anyone with information about the incident to come forward. Specifically, they are seeking witnesses who may have observed a small red pickup truck closely followed by a dark-colored truck or SUV on Lund Highway between 1600 North and Midvalley Road on Friday night.
Additionally, they are interested in sightings of these vehicles heading west on Midvalley Road toward the Three Peaks Campground area.
Residents and businesses along the affected routes are also encouraged to check their surveillance footage for any relevant video that might assist the investigation.
“Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of the young woman who lost her life during this tragic act of violence,” Lt. Mitchell stated.
The Iron County Sheriff’s Office has provided contact numbers for anyone with information or footage that could help in solving the case:
- Iron County Sheriff’s Office: (435) 867-7500
- Cedar Dispatch (Non-Emergency): (435) 586-9445
Authorities continue to investigate this senseless act and are committed to seeking justice for KayLee Joan Dutton and her family.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.