LOCAL NEWS

Wife arrested, allegedly admitted to killing her missing husband

Oct 2, 2024, 5:58 PM | Updated: Oct 25, 2024, 12:31 pm

COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS — A Utah woman has been arrested in connection to the death of her husband, who was reported missing in late September.

According to the Cottonwood Heights Police Department, Jennifer Gledhill, 41, was charged with first-degree murder and obstruction of justice after she reported her husband, Matthew Johnson, 51, missing on Sept. 20. Gledhill was taken into custody Wednesday night.

The murder charge carries a penalty of five years to life imprisonment, and the obstruction of justice charge could mean one to 15 years in prison for Gledhill, CHPD said.

Court documents revealed Thursday morning that Gledhill allegedly admitted to killing her husband to a “confidential informant,” who was in contact with the police. An affidavit states Gledhill told the person openly on Sept. 22 that she shot him in the head while he slept.

“Johnson was shot while on the mattress inside the master bedroom of their home in Cottonwood Heights,” the affidavit states. “Jennifer also told the (informant) she had removed the body of Johnson and had relocated his remains to a shallow grave at an undisclosed location.”

Johnson was a respected member of a U.S. military special operations unit, police said. He was employed with the Utah National Guard and was due to return from leave on Sept. 23.

“We are deeply saddened by the recent news regarding Staff Sgt. Matthew Johnson,” Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber said, with the Utah National Guard. “He was a valuable member of the utah National Guard team and will be sorely missed.”

A “suspicious” disappearance

Before he could return to work, Gledhill reported her husband missing on Sept. 20. His truck was located in the area of 3100 East and Fort Union Boulevard, blocks away from his home. Police said witnesses reported an argument between the couple near or on that day, and that the couple had been considering divorce since July.

Court documents had been filed for divorce and included orders not to harass, intimidate or disturb the peace of the other party and that there was a possible significant custody dispute. The couple were said to have three children, all minors, according to police.

Even though they were investigating Johnson’s “suspicious” disappearance, police said Gledhill was cooperative with the investigation as of Monday.

Police: Missing persons case involving Utah guardsman considered ‘suspicious’

Evidence collected

Court documents said several search warrants were obtained by police for Gledhill’s electronic devices and the home the couple shared.

“During this search, we discovered a large blood-stained spot in the master bedroom carpet underneath the bed,” the affidavit states. “Blood was also found one the bed frame slats, which supports the information police were told.”

Investigators believe Gledhill cleaned “significantly” inside the home after the crime had occurred, including bleaching walls and using carpet cleaning supplies. She had also ordered a new mattress, which was ordered on Sept. 24, and delivered two days later, according to electronic records.

Police are not releasing further information without consultation with Salt Lake County District Attorney Sim Gill. Investigators worked with Gill and his office, the state’s crime lab and the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

On Wednesday night, the sheriff’s office released a statement on Jennifer Gledhill’s arrest:

“The Salt Lake County District’s Attorney’s Office is aware of the arrest of Jennifer Gledhill by the Cottonwood Heights Police Department on suspicion of the alleged murder of her husband Matthew Johnson,” Gill said. “The matter will be screened for any charges, as is our protocol.”

Court documents stated Gledhill “expressed suicidal ideations,” to the confidential informant, saying she would “shoot herself before she goes to jail.”

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Wife arrested, allegedly admitted to killing her missing husband