A shocking case from Utah has left three families grieving after a caregiver allegedly left three disabled men inside a running van in his garage for hours.
Police say the men died from carbon monoxide poisoning while the caregiver stayed inside his apartment eating and watching television. The incident has raised serious concerns about safety, responsibility, and the care of vulnerable adults.
Caregiver Charged With Triple Murder
Isaiah Vaughn Pulu, 25, is facing three counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Colton Moser, 25, Mosa’ati Moa, 22, and Timothy Jones, 39. Authorities responded on February 6 to an apartment complex on South High Parkway in West Valley, near Salt Lake City.
When police and paramedics arrived, they found the three men unconscious inside a van parked in a small garage. Sadly, all three were declared dead.
An autopsy found no signs of physical injuries. Investigators believe the men died from carbon monoxide poisoning. A carbon monoxide alarm in the apartment above the garage reportedly reached 600 parts per million, a dangerously high level.
Allegations of Neglect
Pulu worked for Safe & Sound Services LLC, a company that supports disabled adults in Utah’s state system. His job was to take clients from their group homes to places like parks or shopping malls for outings.
However, instead of taking the men on an outing, police say Pulu drove them to his own apartment and left them in the van with the engine running. According to court documents, he told officers, “I just wanted to get some food and watch my show.”
Pulu claimed one of the men was being difficult, so he decided to drive around before stopping at his home around 10:30 a.m. He said he left the van running with the heat on and windows slightly open while he went inside to eat and watch anime.
He told police he returned around 1:30 p.m. and found the men unconscious. He then called his mother before dialing 911.
Surveillance Footage Raises Questions
Ring camera footage reportedly tells a different story. Police say the video shows Pulu arriving at his apartment around 9 a.m., not 10:30 a.m. It also shows that he stayed inside for about four and a half hours before checking on the men.
Investigators allege that he went in and out of the apartment several times and waited about 20 minutes before calling 911.
During the emergency call, Pulu claimed the garage door had been open the entire time. Police say this was not true.
Detectives also spoke to his employer. According to the complaint, Pulu initially told his boss that only two of the men were in the van and that one was inside the apartment. The employer reportedly knew this was false because he had already been informed that all three had died.
Company Policy and Prior Warning
The CEO of Safe & Sound Services LLC told investigators that employees are strictly not allowed to bring clients to their homes. Court documents also state that Pulu had been disciplined just weeks earlier for leaving clients unattended for about 30 minutes.
Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill announced the charges during a press conference. He said the actions showed a “depraved indifference to human life,” especially because the victims were disabled individuals who depended on proper care and supervision.
Pulu is currently being held at the Salt Lake County Jail without bond.
Families Mourn the Loss
The deaths have deeply affected the families of the three men. Loved ones have created GoFundMe pages to help with funeral expenses.
Colton Moser’s family described his passing as a “shocking and deeply senseless act of negligence.” They remembered him for his bright smile and kind spirit.
Mosa’ati Moa’s family said he had a gentle nature and touched many lives just by being himself. Timothy Jones’ family also shared that he was deeply loved and that his loss has left a huge void.
This heartbreaking case highlights the importance of accountability and proper care when working with vulnerable individuals. Families trust caregivers to protect and support their loved ones.
When that trust is broken, the consequences can be devastating. As the legal process continues, many hope this tragedy leads to stricter oversight and stronger safety measures to prevent such incidents in the future.
