American Fork, Utah Chilling Betrayal: Utah Woman Who Convinced Husband to Reconcile—Then Had Him Killed—Found Guilty – SAFETY ALERT

American Fork, Utah— In a tragic twist reminiscent of a thriller, Kathryn Restelli, a 35-year-old Utah woman, has pleaded guilty to orchestrating the murder of her estranged husband, Matthew Restelli, converting what seemed like a peace offering into a lethal trap. Matthew believed they were meeting to repair their fractured relationship—but instead, he walked into an ambush at Kathryn’s mother’s home. As he stepped through the unlocked front door, he was shot multiple times by Kathryn’s brother, Kevin Ellis. The duo, alongside their mother, Tracey Marie Grist, staged the crime to appear as a self-defense scenario, even placing a knife in Matthew’s hand. Their calculated plot unraveled under scrutiny, and this week Kathryn admitted guilt to second-degree murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and discharging a firearm. The case has rocked Utah communities—highlighting how betrayal can mask behind the guise of reconciliation, and raising urgent concerns about the hidden dangers that can lurk behind closed doors.

Key Facts

• BREAKING/NEW DEVELOPMENT: Kathryn Restelli pleads guilty to luring and conspiring in her estranged husband’s murder.

• IMPACT: One man dead—two family members also implicated; the surviving co-conspirators now face justice.
  OFFICIAL SOURCE: Investigators say she staged the murder as self-defense by planting a knife in his hand.

• ACTION: Authorities and readers urged to recognize warning signs in potentially dangerous reconciliation attempts.

Hyperlocal Impact

1. Precise Location:
   American Fork, Utah—the crime unfolded inside Kathryn’s mother’s residence.

2. Community Connection:
   “It seemed like a family reunion gone wrong—tragic and bewildering.”
   – Neighbor of the Restelli home reflecting on the surreal betrayal.

Exclusive Angle — WHY THIS MATTERS NOW

This plea underscores how violence can be deeply premeditated and masked within familiar settings or emotions. Framing murder as a reconciliatory meeting—especially within one’s own home—adds a chilling layer of manipulation and betrayal. The carefully staged nature of this crime compounds concerns about trust, coercion, and emotional slavery in relationships. This case should remind communities and law enforcement alike that not all overtures of peace are innocent—and that distinguishing genuine outreach from deceit may sometimes save lives.

Update Log

• July 2024: Matthew Restelli is murdered at his ex-wife’s mother’s home. His brother carries out the shooting after being lured there by Kathryn.

• July 2025: Kathryn pleads guilty to second-degree murder, conspiracy, and firearm discharge; sentencing scheduled for September.

\This heart-wrenching case illustrates how deceit in relationships can mask a deadly danger. It underscores the importance of caution, support networks, and proactive protection—even from those we once trusted. Vigilance may be the difference between reconciliation and tragedy.