I mistakenly believed that one of Utahs most atrocious crimes took place at the site of the former Hotel Utah (which is now the Joseph Smith Memorial building. Sadly, I learned today that Rachel Davids systematic murder of her children actually took place at the former Internatinal Dunes Hotel (which is the current Shilo Inn located at 206 S. west Temple). The true story is far more horrofic than the story that I have heard many people tell since I was a child. Like Ted Bundy, this story was very difficult to research. A few days after Rachels husband Immanuel took his own life by inhaling carbon monoxide in a borrowed van up in the canyon in August of 1978, Rachel lined her seven children (aged 5-15) up on the hotels 11th floor balcony, and-- as horrified onlookers watched from below--either restrained them and pushed them off the side, or coaxed them to jump. Rachel ultimately jumped herself. Rachels 15-year-old daughter ultimately survived. She suffered severe brain damage, and is permanently bound to a wheelchair. Immanuel David apparently believed he was God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. He was excommunicated from the Mormon church for his erratic behavior. Immanuel and family lived in the International Dunes Hotel for a year prior to the awful jumping incident. He paid all of his bills in cash, and his source of income was a mystery, even to his family. The children did not attend school, and were not aloud to take to anyone without their fathers permission. Today, the Shilo Inn has a series of one-star tritrip advisor ratings, that complain about the bad service, dated decour, and overall creepy vibes of the place. Apparently, it will soon be a Holiday Inn (the old under new management trick). Footsteps, black specters, mysterious giggles, and general creepiness and overall foreboding have been reported by vistors throughout the years. The overall horror of this story really blew me away. Im surprised its not more notorious. But, I suppose it did occur prior to the era of internet and 24 hour cable news channels. Thoughts on this?
Posted on: Mon, 27 Oct 2014 19:44:00 +0000
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