An Iowa man has been charged with three counts of aggravated murder after allegedly killing three Utah women at random in Wayne County. Ivan W. Miller, 22, of Blakesburg, Iowa, confessed to the brutal killings, claiming it "had to be done" to steal their vehicles, according to court documents filed Thursday.

Miller shot an elderly woman in her Lyman home and killed two women hiking near Torrey before fleeing in one of their cars. He was arrested near Pagosa Springs, Colorado, after a multi-state manhunt involving license plate readers and integrated tracking services. The victims, whose names haven't been released, were from the local area but unrelated to each other.

Investigators found evidence including three spent .45 caliber shell casings and a 20-gauge shotgun shell near the bodies. Miller allegedly dragged the victims to a ditch, used their credit cards to buy gas, and attempted to return to Iowa. The Wayne County community remains in shock as schools closed and counseling services were prepared for students and teachers.