Suzanne Roth Price Allegedly Murdered by David Meyer, Roy, Utah, United States
This source-based behavioral analysis does not establish a clinical diagnosis, motive, or legal finding.
The case reflects a fatal escalation of domestic dysfunction driven by severe marital dissatisfaction, extramarital infidelity, and financial collapse. David Meyer attempted to minimize his culpability by projecting an image of self-sacrificing altruism and claiming he acted on his wife's desires to end chronic back pain. Objective investigation revealed that Meyer harbored underlying resentment, engaged in systematic deception, and used lethal force when personal and financial pressures converged.
The marriage was marked by high-conflict arguments, economic instability, and emotional detachment. While Meyer portrayed their life as centered exclusively around gym routines and pets, he was actively involved in an extramarital relationship with a personal training client. Suzanne's chronic physical condition served as a convenient focal point for Meyer to externalize relationship strain and construct a post-offense mercy killing defense.
Long-standing marital dissatisfaction escalated as financial problems deepened, culminating in pending foreclosure and arguments over moving. Meyer's clandestine affair created an acute desire to escape the marriage, leading to prior threats of violence and culminating in the fatal firearm attack inside the home, followed by four days of evidence concealment.
Each entry separates the reported behavior or state from the analytical strength of the available narration.
| Behavior / construct | Person / subject | Detailed case context | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moral disengagement Cognitive pattern | David Meyer SuspectHusband of the victim |
Meyer repeatedly minimized the criminal nature of his action by asserting he acted out of mercy for his wife's chronic back pain. He framed the shooting as an unselfish gesture to relieve her suffering rather than an act of criminal aggression. This cognitive reframing allowed him to present himself as a caring spouse despite having committed murder. Context or trigger: During police interrogation regarding his motive for shooting his wife. Reported expression: Reframed a deliberate firearm homicide as an act of mercy and compassion to alleviate her pain. |
Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: High |
| Infidelity or competing attachment Relationship stressor | David Meyer SuspectHusband of the victim |
Meyer conducted an ongoing extramarital affair with one of his personal training clients up until the day of the homicide. He surreptitiously brought his mistress to the marital home while his wife was at the gym. When Suzanne's gym attendance decreased, reducing opportunities for meetings, Meyer expressed rising frustration and admitted to his mistress that he had previously felt urged to shoot his wife. Context or trigger: Maintaining a romantic relationship outside the marriage during period of marital strain. Reported expression: Engaged in a secret relationship with a married client, bringing her to the home during Suzanne's absences. |
Explicitly reported Confidence: High |
| Financial strain or dependence Relationship stressor | Case-wide |
The couple experienced intense financial distress prior to the offense, leading to impending foreclosure on their home. Neighbors and gym acquaintances reported frequent verbal altercations between Meyer and Suzanne regarding money. This economic instability severely compounded existing marital friction and contributed to Meyer searching for independent housing. Context or trigger: Imminent home foreclosure and uncertain housing arrangements in early 2023. Reported expression: Frequent explosive arguments between spouses regarding debt and housing failure. |
Explicitly reported Confidence: High |
| Staging or evidence concealment Post-offense behavior | David Meyer SuspectHusband of the victim |
After shooting Suzanne, Meyer shut the bedroom door and left her body isolated inside the room for four days. He continued living in the residence, sleeping on the couch and recliner, and running brief errands while neglecting to inform emergency services. This delay reflected active detection avoidance and post-offense emotional detachment. Context or trigger: Immediate period following the fatal shooting of Suzanne inside the home. Reported expression: Closed the bedroom door, remained in the home for four days, and failed to seek medical attention or alert authorities. |
Explicitly reported Confidence: High |
| Impression management Post-offense behavior | David Meyer SuspectHusband of the victim |
During questioning, Meyer attempted to project an image of an isolated, devoted couple who lived quietly for gym workouts and their pets. He denied any history of marital arguments or dysfunction, claiming their relationship was very good. This presentation directly conflicted with witness reports of routine screaming matches, his affair, and his secret searches for an individual apartment. Context or trigger: Police interrogation surrounding marital quality and social involvement. Reported expression: Falsely presented the marriage as peaceful, private, and mutually devoted. |
Narrative-supported psychological state Confidence: High |
| Prior interpersonal violence Prior violence | David Meyer SuspectHusband of the victim |
Weeks prior to the fatal incident, Meyer disclosed to his mistress that he had come close to shooting Suzanne during a heated argument because he was overwhelmed by frustration. This prior explicit threat indicated that firearm violence had already entered his cognitive pathway as a resolution to marital conflict. Context or trigger: Escalating arguments preceding the homicide in late 2022 or early 2023. Reported expression: Expressed explicit intent to shoot his wife during a previous argument. |
Explicitly reported Confidence: High |
Select a stage to expand it; scroll horizontally to follow the full sequence.
Suzanne suffered chronic back pain from a 2012 cycling accident, requiring ongoing management but maintaining high fitness engagement.
Meyer initiated an affair with a training client and complained about his wife, while financial problems worsened toward home foreclosure.
Meyer admitted to his mistress weeks before the crime that he almost shot his wife during an intense verbal argument.
Meyer accessed a loaded 9mm handgun kept on the dresser and fatally shot Suzanne in the back while pretending to rub her back.
Meyer concealed the death for four days before contacting police, subsequently claiming during interrogation that he performed a compassionate mercy killing.
Arrows show the sequence described in the source narrative; they do not prove that one psychological state caused the next event.
Behavioral analysis is based on police interrogation footage, witness statements, and judicial case disclosures. No direct formal psychological evaluation of David Meyer was reported in the available source text.