Utah GOP activist charged with rape found dead
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Republican activist charged with raping five women apparently committed suicide Tuesday at the Heber cabin where the crimes allegedly took place, sheriff's officials said.
Wasatch County sheriff's officials were dispatched to the cabin after Peterson missed an appointment with his attorneys, authorities said. Chief Deputy Jared Rigby confirmed the body of Gregory Nathan Peterson was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
A medical examiner's final determination on a cause of death will come after an autopsy Wednesday morning.
Peterson, 37, had been out on bail since Oct. 19 on multiple charges of rape, assault and kidnapping. He was to stand trial on 23 felony charges and two misdemeanor counts.
Four women from Salt Lake County and one from Wasatch County testified at hearing in August that Peterson sexually assaulted them at his cabin. The women said Peterson fondled them over their clothing without consent.
He's accused of meeting them on Mormon dating websites and at church functions.
Peterson, a certified public accountant and the owner of Peterson Wealth Management, has been a fixture at Utah Republican gatherings. He helped organize the Rocky Mountain Conservatives Convention and Barbecue two years ago at the cabin. Prominent Utah politicians Peterson hosted include U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, Gov. Gary Herbert, U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz and others.
While Peterson has been involved in state politics and events, Utah Republican Chairman Thomas Wright has said he never held a leadership role or raised or donated money for the state party. Some considered Peterson a self-styled tea party operative.
Wasatch County sheriff's officials were dispatched to the cabin after Peterson missed an appointment with his attorneys, authorities said. Chief Deputy Jared Rigby confirmed the body of Gregory Nathan Peterson was found with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
A medical examiner's final determination on a cause of death will come after an autopsy Wednesday morning.
Peterson, 37, had been out on bail since Oct. 19 on multiple charges of rape, assault and kidnapping. He was to stand trial on 23 felony charges and two misdemeanor counts.
Four women from Salt Lake County and one from Wasatch County testified at hearing in August that Peterson sexually assaulted them at his cabin. The women said Peterson fondled them over their clothing without consent.
He's accused of meeting them on Mormon dating websites and at church functions.
Peterson, a certified public accountant and the owner of Peterson Wealth Management, has been a fixture at Utah Republican gatherings. He helped organize the Rocky Mountain Conservatives Convention and Barbecue two years ago at the cabin. Prominent Utah politicians Peterson hosted include U.S. Sen. Orrin Hatch, Gov. Gary Herbert, U.S. Rep. Jason Chaffetz and others.
While Peterson has been involved in state politics and events, Utah Republican Chairman Thomas Wright has said he never held a leadership role or raised or donated money for the state party. Some considered Peterson a self-styled tea party operative.
