CHILLING

Cops Say Utah Killer Claimed a ‘Higher Power’ Instructed Him to ‘Purge’ the Cities

Christian Francis Taele, 28, allegedly admitted to one murder and one attempted murder, and told police “that he feels no remorse.”

Police say a man in Utah admitted to murdering one man and killed another because a “higher power” instructed him to “purge” the cities. Police arrested Christian Francis Taele, 28, on Saturday after learning that a man had been beaten and hanged, according to a probable cause statement. Officers said they found the unnamed 23-year-old victim hanging from a piece of workout machinery by his neck in Ogden. According to police, Taele admitted to law enforcement that he killed 49-year-old Ryan Hooley, who was found dead on Friday in a neighboring county, and tried to kill the 23-year-old, whom he said was a stranger. The 23-year-old, who was taken to the hospital in critical condition, died on Wednesday, officials confirmed. According to police, the attacks were unprovoked, and an affidavit specified that Taele said “he feels no remorse for the killings.” Taele remains in jail.