A Washington state woman who was killed after shooting a Lehi police officer had suffered from a severe mental illness for nearly a decade, according to her family.

Erin Wark said her sister had suffered from mental illness -- though she didn't specify what kind of mental illness -- since she was about 25 years old, but did not have a history of violence. Kelly Wark has no criminal history, and court records in Washington show nothing more serious than minor traffic violations.

"It was a terrible shock," Erin Wark said of the shooting.

Kelly Wark's ex-husband, Craig Hancock, told The Salt Lake Tribune that she told him she had dissociative disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder. The couple was married for about six months last year and filed for divorce in January.

Hancock told the Tribune that at one point in their relationship, a couple from a Bible study class stopped by their house unannounced to return her Bible. When she saw them, he said, she started screaming that they needed to leave. He went out to explain to the couple that they needed to go, and when he turned around he saw his wife on the porch with a 12-gauge shotgun. He said she also owned a .38-caliber handgun.

Erin Wark described her sister as a gentle, kind, loving person who was a creative artist. Kelly Wark moved to Provo in April to attend school at the Utah College of Massage Therapy's Lindon campus, where she recently enrolled, her sister said.

"She actually researched a number of places and she really liked the beautiful scenery and the small-town atmosphere out there," Erin Wark said.

Gwyn Vukich, Kelly Wark's cousin, said the family saw no indications that Wark's mental health was worsening. After living outside of Washington for the first time in her life, Wark seemed to be doing well, Vukich said.

"She was just such a sweet girl and just such a gifted artist, and we were just all completely shocked that something like this could happen, that she could do something like this," Vukich said. "She wouldn't hurt a flea, I don't think. She was very caring and a very strong Christian.

"She was happy doing what she was doing."

Vukich said the family had no idea why Wark had a gun when she was pulled over in Lehi. She said Wark did not drink or use drugs.

"She's not that type," Vukich said.

In a written statement, the Wark family offered its condolences to Terry's family. Lehi police Sgt. Darren Paul said the department is hopeful that Terry will make a full recovery.

"Capt. Terry's condition is steadily improving," said Lehi police spokesman Sgt. Darren Paul.

Terry's family released a statement on Tuesday, thanking people for their thoughts and prayers.

"His wife and children are very grateful for the outpouring of support we all have received. Harold is a strong man; a great and wonderful husband, father and grandfather. Harold is in serious but stable condition and he will have a very long, hard road to recovery," the statement read. "We thank you again for your thoughts and prayers and ask you to continue to pray for Harold."

For anyone who wants to donate money to Terry and his family, a fund has been set up at Central Bank in Lehi, 475 E. Main St.

Students, teachers and administrators at the Utah College of Massage Therapy in Lindon had little to say about Wark on Tuesday.

"None of us really knew her," said a student who did not give her name.

Terry pulled Wark over Monday morning at 1000 E. Main St. in Lehi after a clerk at a gas station called police to report a possibly impaired driver. Lehi police said Terry spoke to Wark for a couple minutes before Wark pulled out a revolver and shot him twice in the head. After the shooting, Wark stepped out of her vehicle and was immediately shot and killed by backup officers who had arrived at the scene.

• Jeremy Duda can be reached at 344-2561 or This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it