In the pre-dawn hours of February 22, 1990, 28-year-old Michelle Larae Halling died of smoke inhalation when her Cottonwood Heights, Utah home was set on fire at about 2:00 a.m. Neighbors heard her screams and could not reach her because the blaze was too intense. Investigators determined the fire was arson after finding an accelerant and hotspots around her bed; authorities classified the death as a homicide.

Police records show repeated domestic violence calls to that residence before the fatal fire, and the doors were found barricaded, although it was unclear whether that was caused by the fire or was intended to prevent escape. Michelle’s live-in boyfriend was questioned after the fire and released; no arrests have been announced. She was the mother of three young children who were not home that night. Cold-case detectives have periodically reviewed the file and say a key piece of evidence is still missing.

If anyone knew Michelle, her family, or saw anything in Cottonwood Heights around February 22, 1990, please come forward with information.