Teen and boyfriend kill grandparents

Her loving grandparents Larry and Deborah took her in and raised her, but 17-year-old Heidi Dutton and her boyfriend murdered them in their bedroom then “played house” while their bodies lay out in the yard

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Dutton were known for their kindness

Caring grandparents turned adoptive parents Larry and Deborah Dutton had created a safe haven for their teenage granddaughter, Heidi.

The couple, who lived in Dewey, Oklahoma, adopted Heidi when she was an infant and raised her as their own. They lived in a small community and it was an idyllic country location to grow up in.

Larry, 72, was a retired US Air Force master staff sergeant and former manager of an airport. Deborah, 67, was also retired from the Air Force and had spent time as a chef. She catered for local fundraiser and church events. The couple, who had been married 40 years and were active members of the church, were known for their generosity and kindness.

Heidi Dutton, then 17, had been in a relationship with Lucas Walker, then 20, for a few months and he often visited the rural farmhouse. Dutton had been a typical teenager before she met Walker online, but had become more isolated and increasingly influenced by her older boyfriend.

In January 2023, family and neighbours grew concerned that they hadn’t seen Deborah or Larry since before Christmas. Several requests were made to the police to carry out a welfare check just in case something was wrong.

On 19 January, the police went to the property and noticed the rancid smell of decomposing flesh and an overwhelming smell of bleach and cleaning products. It was clear something was very wrong and they needed to get inside.

They returned the next day with a search warrant. Dutton and Walker were there as officers entered the property and started their search. It was obviously a crime scene.