Wealthy Utah family torn apart after mom makes shocking ‘confession’ about missing serviceman husband

A wealthy Utah mother fatally shot her military husband as he slept in their $1 million home, then dumped his body in a shallow grave, police say.

Jennifer Gledhill, 41, was booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on Wednesday on murder and obstruction of justice charges after her husband Matthew Johnson, 51, disappeared late last month.

In an arrest affidavit seen by The Gephardt newspaper, Gledhill reportedly confessed to shooting Johnson before dumping his body.

A confidential informant allegedly told officers that Gledhill had confessed to the crime.

Detectives investigating the disappearance of Johnson, a member of the United States Military Special Operations Unit, found a large bloodstain in the family’s beautiful $967,000 home in Cottonwood Heights.

Gledhill is also accused of buying a new mattress after throwing away the mattress her husband died on.

Gledhill allegedly shot her husband Matthew Johnson, seen here, in the head as he slept before dumping his body in a shallow grave.

Authorities said Monday the case was “suspicious” after his truck was found just a few blocks from their home.

He was reported missing on September 23 after he failed to show up for work with the Utah National Guard.

The affidavit states, “Johnson was shot while lying on the mattress in the master bedroom of their Cottonwood Heights home.

“Jennifer told me [informant] she had Johnson’s body removed and his remains moved to a shallow grave at an unknown location.

‘Gledhill told it too [informant] she had taken items from the house and destroyed them to cover up this crime.

Several search warrants have been obtained and served on electronic devices, leading investigators to believe that Johnson’s remains are in the same undisclosed location described by police. [informant].’

Officers reported in the affidavit that there was also evidence of significant cleaning, which included bleaching the walls.

Police say phone records showed a new mattress was ordered on September 24 and arrived at their home two days later.

Officers reported in the affidavit that there was also evidence of significant cleaning, which included bleaching the walls

Authorities said Monday the case was “suspicious” after his truck was found just a few blocks from their million-dollar home in Cottonwood Heights.

Johnson was reported missing on September 23 after he failed to show up for work with the Utah National Guard

Officers requested a ‘No Bail’ issuance, saying they believe Gledhill would further tamper with or remove critical evidence, and that she posed a flight risk.

According to court documents seen by KSL, Gledhill filed for divorce from Johnson in July. She then filed a petition for a temporary protection measure in August.

The outlet reported that 3rd District Commissioner Russell Minas said the protective order was not warranted and that “no abuse” had occurred.

She submitted videos claiming the order was necessary, but the ruling depicted the videos as “equally confrontational.”

According to the text messages also submitted, Gledhill was “repeatedly berating, belittling and demeaning” towards Johnson, the ruling said.

Police confirmed to the newspaper that they had also previously visited the couple’s home for civil matters. The couple have two sons and a daughter aged 11, 7 and 5.

Cottonwood Heights police said, “We would like to express our sincere condolences to the families, especially the Johnson children. These unfortunate tragedies are tearing apart the fabric of our families.

“We thank our partners at the DA Office, State Crime Lab and the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office for their efforts.”