SALT LAKE CITY – Jennifer Gledhill, a Utah woman accused of murdering her husband, Utah National Guardsman Matthew Johnson, appeared in court for a pre-trial hearing on Friday, March 14.
Gledhill, 41, was originally arrested in October 2024 in connection with Johnson’s disappearance and presumed death. During the hearing, the judge confirmed that jury selection for her trial will begin on December 8, 2025, with the proceedings expected to last through December 15.
Ongoing Legal Battle and Bail Denial
Gledhill previously sought release on bail during a hearing on February 28, 2025, but her request was denied. Her attorney, Jeremy Deus, emphasized that law enforcement—including the Cottonwood Heights Police and the Army Reserve—has conducted extensive searches for Johnson using drones and ground teams.
“There is still no body and no weapon,” Deus argued in court.
However, prosecutor Emily Paulos countered that the investigation remains active, and Johnson’s family is desperate for answers.
“They just want to bring Matthew home,” Paulos stated. “They fear that if the defendant is released, she may interfere with the ongoing efforts to locate him.”
Timeline of Events Leading to the Case
Authorities reported that Johnson was last seen on September 20, 2024. Witnesses later recounted hearing an argument between him and Gledhill around that time. Concern grew when Johnson failed to report for duty, prompting the Utah National Guard to investigate his whereabouts.
Law enforcement launched a search, which intensified after Gledhill’s arrest on October 2, 2024. A day later, court documents revealed that Gledhill had allegedly confessed to a third party—identified as a man with whom she was reportedly having an affair—that she shot Johnson while he was asleep on September 21. However, she did not admit this to the police.
Investigators later gathered additional evidence, including a bloodstained mattress and carpet that had been removed from the couple’s home. Police suspect Gledhill transported Johnson’s body in a storage container before burying him in a shallow grave, possibly in the wetlands of the Farmington Bay area.
Charges and Family Involvement
In mid-October 2024, Gledhill was officially charged with nine felony counts, including first-degree murder and obstruction of justice.
Her parents were also arrested on October 24, accused of helping clean up the crime scene. The following day, a Utah court upheld a No Contact Order, barring Gledhill from communicating with her children.
As the trial approaches, investigators continue searching for Johnson’s body, with authorities describing the effort as “looking for a needle in a haystack.” Meanwhile, newly collected evidence—such as phone data, videos, and images of firearms—could play a critical role in the prosecution’s case.
With two pre-trial conferences scheduled for November 6 and December 4, 2025, the case continues to unfold, leaving Johnson’s family waiting for justice and closure .
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