McKenzie Fronk died by suicide in September 2020 due to her apprehension that her assailant, Brian Newton, would be released and pursue her again. In 2012, Brian Newton, a resident of Salt Lake City, was found guilty of gunpoint rape against an 18-year-old woman.
“The trauma inflicted by Mr. Newton directly contributed to her suicide,” stated attorney Joseph Hill. “(She suffered) emotional wounds that never fully healed.”
Fronk and her companions attended a house party in West Valley City on May 30, 2012. Additionally present at the party, Newton approached her at some juncture in the evening and inquired whether she would be interested in accompanying him to the food court. Hill states that they purchased food from a Subway. Newton subsequently drove to a different location, where he strangled Fronk, shot her in the head, and violated her.
According to prosecution documents, Newton informed Fronk “that he might have to ‘kill her’ because she appeared to be a girl who would ’cause problems for him'” while they were traveling after the assault. Fronk leaped from the vehicle as their automobile decelerated for a red light on the Bangerter Highway. He did so by opening the door. She traversed the Bangerter Highway in reverse-fitting, barefoot attire, in an attempt to locate assistance.
Later, a Salt Lake City SWAT team apprehended Newton at his residence. Newton faced four counts of felony charges, and in 2014, he was found guilty by a jury of aggravated assault and aggravated sexual assault. At that time, Hill was employed by the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office and presided over the prosecution of the case.
Newton received a life sentence ranging from ten years in the Utah State Prison. His conviction was affirmed by the Utah Supreme Court upon review of his appeal.
Fronk and her family experienced a sense of alleviation upon the conviction of Newton. As Fronk “struggled to cope with the mental trauma” and Hill could not escape the dread that he might be released at some point in the future, Hill claims that the relief was only temporary.
Hill asserts that his office and the family received a number of letters from individuals who claimed to be Newton victims or family members but were too afraid to appear in court with him. Newton has “exhibited violent predatory behavior” and “refused to accept responsibility for his heinous crime,” per Hill.