A 25-year-old caregiver in Utah has been charged with murder after allegedly abandoning three disabled patients in a running van inside his garage, leading to their deaths from suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Isaiah Vaughn Pulu, employed by Safe & Sound Services LLC, reportedly left the vulnerable individuals unattended for over four hours while he retreated indoors to eat and watch anime.
The incident, which occurred on 6 February 2026 in West Valley City, has prompted widespread outrage and calls for improved oversight in care services for the disabled.
Pulu was initially arrested on suspicion of manslaughter but saw his charges upgraded to three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of aggravated abuse of a vulnerable adult, reflecting what authorities described as 'depraved indifference to human life.'
On the morning of 6 February, Pulu picked up the three patients—Colton Warren Moser, 25; Mosa'ati Moa, 22; and Timothy Jones, 39—from their group homes as part of a state-contracted day programme. The men, all disabled and dependent on carers for daily needs, with two being nonverbal, were meant to enjoy an outing, such as a visit to a park or shopping centre, before returning by 1:30 p.m.
According to arrest documents obtained by media outlets, one of the patients became 'rowdy,' prompting Pulu to drive around for 30 to 45 minutes in an attempt to de-escalate the situation through isolation—a technique he claimed was part of his training. Instead of continuing the outing or seeking assistance, Pulu drove the van to his home in West Valley City, parked it in the garage with the engine running, the heater or air conditioning on, and windows down, allegedly leaving the garage door open initially.
Pulu then entered his apartment, where he admitted to investigators that he wanted to 'get some food and watch my show.' Doorbellcamera footagerevealed he arrived home shortly after 9 a.m., contradicting some aspects of his timeline and indicating the patients were left unattended for approximately 4.5 hours.
During this time, he snacked and watchedanime, only returning to the garage around 1:30 p.m. to find all three men unconscious.
In a panic, Pulu first called his mother before dialling 911 about 20 minutes later. Emergency responders arrived at the scene where carbon monoxide alarms were blaring in the apartments above the garage, registering levels as high as 600 parts per million.
The garage door was found closed, exacerbating the buildup of toxic fumes from the running vehicle. The Utah State Medical Examiner's Office preliminarily attributed the deaths to carbon monoxide poisoning, pending final toxicology results.
Pulu also reportedly lied to his employer, claiming only two patients were in the van and one was in his apartment, further complicating his account.
Source: International Business Times UK
