A husband has publicly denied any involvement in the murder of his wife, while simultaneously announcing his marriage to his girlfriend just over a year after the killing. This development comes as the man formally charged in the case has spoken out after fleeing to Asia, creating a tangled web of accusations and denials in a small Utah community.
A Brutal Discovery in Vernal
Kimberly Hyde, a 60-year-old woman, was found murdered inside her Honda Civic in October 2024 in Vernal, Utah. The location was approximately 40 miles from her home in Roosevelt, where she resided with her husband of 18 years, Michael Hyde, aged 69. The official autopsy later determined that she had suffered blunt force trauma to her head and face, alongside multiple stab wounds, with one particularly fatal injury to her neck.
Moving On and Facing Criticism
In a surprising turn of events, slightly more than a year after Kimberly was discovered, Michael Hyde married his girlfriend, Joy. He took to social media to defend this decision, framing it as an effort to move forward with his life. In his posts, Michael stated that by waiting a year, he was honouring his late wife's expressed wishes regarding remarriage. He also addressed critics within the local community who had allegedly pointed fingers at him, suggesting his involvement in her death.
"I do not wear my emotions on my sleeve, and some criticize me for that and the way I choose to grieve," Michael wrote. "Some have criticized me for wanting to find happiness in marriage again. I am abiding by Kim’s wishes in that respect (waiting at least a year if I do get remarried)."
He added a poignant note: "It especially hurts that some of Kim‘s family and friends apparently feel, in spite of all the evidence, that I was somehow involved." Michael emphasised that he had cooperated with the investigation "110 percent" and expressed frustration that justice had not yet been served. He fondly remembered Kimberly as "the best wife I could’ve ever asked for" and praised her as a wonderful mother and grandmother.
The Neighbour and Primary Suspect
Notably, Michael Hyde has not been officially named as a suspect or charged in connection with the death. The primary focus of the investigation has been the couple's neighbour, Henry Resuera. An arrest warrant has been issued for Resuera on suspicion of aggravated homicide, kidnapping, robbery, and burglary.
A Flight to the Philippines and a Startling Account
Resuera, who fled to the Philippines after Kimberly's death, recently gave a lengthy and emotional interview to East Idaho News. He presented a complex narrative of the events on the day Kimberly was reported missing. Resuera claims he received an anonymous call via Facebook Messenger from an account named "Jaz Utah," which he believed belonged to Michael Hyde.
According to his account:
- The caller asked him to go to the Hyde home to open the rear gate for someone collecting a gas stove, providing the garage passcode.
- Resuera says he retrieved a retirement gift for the couple and left it inside the house before opening the fence.
- He later received another call, allegedly from Michael, asking to be picked up at Constitution Park using Kimberly's car, leading Resuera to believe his own wife was with Kimberly.
- While driving, he claims he heard a strange noise and the sound of someone having difficulty breathing from the back seat.
- Upon looking, he says he was shocked to find Kimberly blindfolded, with her mouth taped, and lying under piled boxes and bags, covered in blood.
Resuera stated he tried to call the Facebook account back, received no answer, and then abandoned the car. The following day, he says Michael informed him of Kimberly's death, which prompted him to book a flight to the Philippines. A friend reportedly convinced him not to flee immediately, leading him to question Michael directly.
"I told him, 'I can't leave my family, Mike'," Resuera recounted. "He said, 'If you really love your family, you must leave'. I asked him, 'Who did it?' he told me two names, Monde and Julia." Resuera claims Michael said these individuals were still in the area, a moment that made Resuera break down in tears.
Conflicting Claims and an Appeal for Truth
Resuera further alleges that since returning to the Philippines, a police officer questioned him about an alleged affair with Kimberly, which he vehemently denied. He references a police affidavit that states both his wife and son admitted he had confessed to the killing, though Resuera claims they have a backstory for this confession he did not elaborate on. Expressing distrust in Utah police, he made a direct appeal to former President Donald Trump for a pardon.
In a heartfelt plea aimed at Michael Hyde, Resuera said: "I thought we were friends. I am talking to you, man to man, father to father. Tell the truth. It's not too late, Mike. One day, you will face Kimberly in the afterlife. I know you have totally moved on, but please, you are my only hope to clear my name because I know you knew who did this."
The Daily Mail has contacted Michael Hyde and his new wife for comment on these allegations, as the case remains unresolved with starkly contrasting stories from the husband and the accused neighbour.
