CLEARFIELD -- Family members of Jeremy Valdes, a suspect in the homicide of a Roy mother and son, say they are shocked by the allegations their loved one participated in the crime.
Relatives say Valdes, 33, became addicted to prescription drugs several years ago when he suffered a knee injury. His longtime girlfriend, Miranda Statler, 26, who also faces charges in the slayings, became hooked as well, said Jason Valdes, Jeremy's brother.
"What happened to them was this quick hold of narcotics," he said. "It got a hold of them, hooked them in."
Jeremy Valdes and Statler are being held in Weber County Jail in the killings of Pamela Knight Jeffries, 56, and her son, Matthew Roddy, 30. The two were found dead in a closet in their home late Monday afternoon.
Police said on Wednesday they believe Valdes and Statler killed the two on Nov. 25 because they were angry that Jeffries and Roddy reported prescription drugs had been taken from their mobile home.
Valdes and Statler reportedly had been staying in the mobile home before the killings.
On Wednesday, Jason Valdes, his sister, Nicole, and a longtime family friend, Tyler Trinnaman, released a statement regarding Jeremy's alleged involvement in the killings.
"To the family and friends of Pamela Knight Jeffries and Matt Roddy," the statement reads, "we are deeply saddened and our hearts are full of sorrow for your loss. We know there is nothing we can say or do to fill the void of lost loved ones.
"We do not know the facts of what really happened. Our sole purpose here today is to express our sadness for Pamela and Matt's family and friends and to let everyone know we, too, grieve for loved ones we remember as kind and loving.
"Our family has been blindsided by this horrific tragedy. Many lives have been forever changed. Our love and prayers go out to all who have been affected by this tragedy."
Jeremy Valdes and Statler are being held on probation violations, awaiting the filing of official charges in the slayings. Those charges had not been filed as of 6 p.m. Wednesday.
The family says they have not spoken to Jeremy Valdes since his arrest, but that they are eager to learn the facts in the case. Jason and Nicole said they last spoke to Jeremy on Saturday by phone.
"I lost contact with my brother for about a month," Jason Valdes said. "I was looking forward to seeing him on Thanksgiving. He didn't show."
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