Two parents from Utah have been arrested for allegedly helping their daughter clean up the murder scene after she killed her husband, as per authorities. Thomas Gledhill, 71, and Rosalie Gledhill, 67, were taken into custody on suspicion of obstruction of justice. Jennifer Gledhill, their daughter, shot her husband, Matthew Johnson, 51, and the parents assisted her in cleaning the couple’s home in Cottonwood Heights, according to probable cause documents obtained by HuffPost.
Matthew Johnson, who was a National Guard member, was reported missing by his wife in September. Jennifer Gledhill informed the police that she hadn’t seen her husband since September 20 following an argument. The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office mentioned in an October 15 press release that Gledhill had filed for divorce from Johnson in July and had even requested a temporary protective order the following month, submitting video evidence to support her petition. However, the court declined to issue a civil protective order, stating that there was no evidence of abuse, as reported by KSL.
A man came forward as an informant, revealing an affair with Gledhill. He informed the police that Johnson had confronted Gledhill about the affair, leading to Gledhill shooting her husband while he was in bed. The informant shared that Gledhill disposed of Johnson’s body in a storage container, moved him to a minivan, and buried him up north. Jennifer Gledhill’s parents allegedly cleaned the crime scene and provided false information to the detectives. Despite their denial, neighbors testified that they saw the parents cleaning the house for hours.
During the search of Gledhill’s residence, detectives found blood stains in the primary bedroom and a newly purchased mattress by Gledhill’s mother. Forensic testing revealed that the blood belonged to a single male source, but it hasn’t been confirmed if it belongs to Johnson. Currently, Johnson’s whereabouts remain unknown, along with the mattress on which he was allegedly shot. Jennifer Gledhill is facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, obstruction of justice, possession with intent to distribute, desecration of a human body, and witness tampering.
In the midst of the legal proceedings, Gledhill has been prohibited from seeing her three children. Her lawyer criticized this decision, claiming that the authorities are attempting to strip her of everything she holds dear. The attorney expressed his concerns about the pretrial protective order, suggesting that it is part of a broader strategy to dismantle her life.
The details of this case are disturbing and tragic, shedding light on a complex web of relationships and events that culminated in a heinous crime. The involvement of family members in attempting to cover up the murder adds another layer of complexity to an already perplexing situation. As the investigation continues and the legal process unfolds, more information may come to light, providing further insights into the motives and actions of those involved in this unfortunate incident.
