St. George Man Found Guilty Of Murdering His Wife

A Life Shattered: The Verdict in a Domestic Violence Case

A courtroom in Washington County was quiet as a jury delivered a verdict that will change a St. George family, and the community forever.

After a weeklong trial and nearly eight hours of deliberation, jurors found Eric Larsen Sampson, 52, guilty of first-degree felony murder in the death of his wife, Niki Ahlquist Sampson.

Tragic Discovery: Niki Ahlquist Sampson's Last Moments

Niki Sampson was found unresponsive on a bed inside the married couple's home on September 1, 2024. Police were called to the area of 2800 South and 2300 East after a 911 call reported domestic violence. The caller told dispatchers that the woman had bruises "all over", according to the charging documents.

Following the decision, 5th District Judge Eric Gentry ordered Sampson be immediately taken into custody. He will remain in jail until his sentencing, which is scheduled for March 23, 2026.

This case has not been quiet across Southern Utah. Sampson had previously been released to house arrest in July 2025 after prosecutors acknowledged that they failed to turn over a significant amount of evidence before an earlier trial date. The defense argued that the delay was not his fault and it violated his rights. The case moved forward to trial this year.

A History of Violence: Police Reports and Patterns

Court records also show that months before Niki's death, she had contacted police for prior domestic violence. In one report, she had told officers that her husband pinned her down on a bed and pulled her hair before she broke free. She later said that her husband followed her to outside before throwing her to the ground.

This verdict closes one chapter of this case, but sentencing still lies ahead.

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