Utah Caregiver Charged With Murder for Leaving Patients for Dead to Watch Anime

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.'

The Fatal Sequence of Events

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.' Doorbell camera footage revealed 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 watched anime, 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.

Victims: Vulnerable Lives Cut Short

The victims were residents of different group homes in West Valley City, entrusted to the care of Safe & Sound under state contracts. Colton Moser was remembered by his mother, Wendy Rollins, for his 'big bright smile and very special spirit.' Mosa'ati Moa was described as having a 'unique personality and gentle spirit,' while Timothy Jones left a 'profound void' in the lives of those who knew him.

All three men required constant oversight due to their disabilities. Their inability to escape or call for help amplified the tragedy, as they suffered in the confined, fume-filled space.

Families have established GoFundMe pages to cover funeral expenses, highlighting the emotional and financial toll of the loss.

Ignoring Prior Warnings

Compounding the case is evidence that Pulu had been reprimanded previously for similar negligence. On 6 January 2026, he was warned after abandoning three clients unattended in a van for about 30 minutes while waiting for transport. The CEO of Safe & Sound confirmed that staff are strictly prohibited from taking patients to their personal homes, a policy Pulu violated.

Despite this, Pulu told police he had brought clients to his home before and believed isolation was permissible as long as they were 'in the vicinity.'

Charges Upgraded Amid Evidence of Negligence

Pulu was arrested on the day of the incident and initially faced three counts of manslaughter. However, on 14 February 2026, Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced the upgraded charges at a press conference, citing Pulu's awareness of the risks and his prior warnings.

The murder charges, classified as first-degree felonies, were filed in the 3rd District Court, with additional counts of aggravated abuse reflecting the victims' vulnerability.

Gill emphasised, 'There are three individuals, who are disabled individuals, who need oversight, who need care from folks, (and) they are left unattended with the vehicle running for an extended period of time. There's also been a warning that he had earlier that said that he cannot leave people unattended, which he was aware of.'

Pulu is currently held without bond in Salt Lake County Jail, and further charges may be added as the investigation continues.