Larry and Deborah Dutton, who are caring grandparents turned adoptive parents, provided a secure environment for their teenage granddaughter, Heidi. The Duttons, residents of Dewey, Oklahoma, legally adopted Heidi as an infant and raised her in their home. Living in a quaint rural setting, they created an ideal upbringing for Heidi.
Larry, aged 72, a retired US Air Force master staff sergeant and former airport manager, and Deborah, aged 67, also a retired Air Force member and former chef known for catering at local events, had been married for 40 years. Actively involved in their church community, the couple was renowned for their benevolence and compassion.
Heidi, at 17, had been dating Lucas Walker, 20, for a few months, and he frequently visited their rural farmhouse. While Heidi had been a typical teenager before meeting Walker online, her behavior shifted as she became more isolated and influenced by her older boyfriend.
Concerns arose in January 2023 when family and neighbors noticed the absence of Deborah and Larry since before Christmas, prompting requests for a welfare check from the police.
On January 19, the police visited the Duttons’ property and detected foul odors of decomposing flesh and strong bleach and cleaning agents. Suspecting foul play, a search warrant was obtained, and upon entering the premises, officers encountered a potential crime scene with Dutton and Walker present.
During the search, evidence of attempted cleanup was found, with blood stains discovered under the floorboards in the couple’s bedroom. Further exploration unveiled hidden bloodstained items and traces of wiped-down blood on the walls. An expert advised investigating a disturbed area in the backyard, leading to the discovery of Deborah and Larry’s bodies in a shallow grave.
Subsequent investigations and confessions revealed that Dutton and Walker had planned and executed the murders on December 19. The brutal attack involved Walker shooting Deborah and then fatally stabbing her, followed by stabbing Larry multiple times as he tried to intervene. The perpetrators attempted to conceal the crime by cleaning the scene and burying the bodies in the backyard.
Walker pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree murder and received a 35-year prison sentence, while Dutton pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy, and desecration of human remains, resulting in a life sentence with parole eligibility after serving 85% of a 45-year term.
The district attorney described the crime as calculated and brutal, emphasizing Dutton’s accountability and the sentence’s alignment with Walker’s punishment. Despite the tragic outcome, the Duttons had welcomed Heidi into their home with love and care, only to be betrayed by her involvement in their murders.