Brian Layton Cardall

Brian Layton Cardall, 32, left mortality after being tased by police officers on a highway near Hurricane, Utah on June 9, 2009. He died at the scene of apparent cardiac arrest.

His untimely death brings to a close a young lifetime of extraordinary accomplishment and adventure. At the time of his death, he was in the midst of doctoral studies in biology with emphasis on ecological genetics, at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Arizona. He was a prolific writer and widely published scientist whose quest for discovery and understanding of the natural world will be sorely missed.

Brian climbed mountains, painted landscapes, and performed original music with his guitar. His many exceptional gifts and talents, along with his purposeful adventures are too numerous to list. His primary focus, though, was his daughter Ava who he tenderly nurtured with adoring care. He loved taking her with him as he did his scientific field work and he looked forward to the arrival of a new baby daughter in September.

Brian was born in Salt Lake City on December 7, 1976, the sixth child of Duane and Margaret Cardall. After serving a mission to Bilbao, Spain for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, he earned BA and Masters Degrees from Utah State University. That's where he met and fell in love with Anna Marie Schmidt. They were married October 10, 2003.

He is survived by his wife Anna, two-year-old daughter Ava Skye, his parents and seven siblings: Carol (Douglas) Burgoyne; Caron (Dustin) Child; Rebecca (David) Smith; Paul L. (Lynnette) Cardall; David L.(Cheryl) Cardall; Jane (Michael Garner) Cardall and Craig L.(Heather) Cardall. He is also survived by grandparents Alan W. and Mona S. Layton, a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins. He had great love for his wife's wonderful family.

Funeral services will be Monday, June 15, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the Valley View Stake Center, 2245 East 3900 South. A viewing for family and friends will be held Sunday evening from 6 a