This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Police say what they initially thought was a possible medical crisis call to a Sandy home turned out to be a murder investigation — with the victim a former police officer.
Sandy police Sgt. Jon Arnold confirmed Thursday that detectives had determined that 63-year-old Kevin Meik had died from a gunshot wound, and that it was not self-inflicted. Also, police found no indication that there had been a break-in at the residence.
Arnold said Meik had retired from the Salt Lake City Police Department about 20 years ago, and given that period of time, "Nothing in this case so far seems to be related to his having been a law enforcement officer."
SLCPD Detective Veronica Montoya confirmed Meik's retired officer status, saying records showed he retired in Aug. 1988 after serving 14 years on the force.
Sandy officers were dispatched to Meik's home at 9032 S. Waters Circle (1515 East) at 1:40 p.m. on Wednesday to check on his welfare after he had missed a meeting with a friend that morning. The friend notified Meik's family, who then called police.
"He had some fairly serious heart conditions and the neighbors all knew about it. When our officers got there, a family member took them inside the home and the deceased was found," Arnold said.
Investigators at first thought the death may have been a suicide, Arnold said, but subsequent investigation convinced them Meik had been killed by another party.
Police would not specify where on Meik's body the fatal gunshot wound was located.
"Our detectives are interviewing family and friends about anyone he may have interfaced with recently," Arnold said, adding that police had not yet identified any suspects. "We are in the infancy of this investigation."
Meik's body was turned over to the Utah State Medical Examiner's Office for an autopsy.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to contact the Sandy Police Department through dispatchers at 801-799-3000.
Twitter: @remims