Crime House Daily – First Watch: Karen Read UPDATE & a Utah Mom’s Deadly Divorce
Host: Katie Ring
Date: September 29, 2025
Overview
In this First Watch episode, Katie Ring brings timely updates on two headline-grabbing true crime cases:
- The ongoing murder case of Jennifer Gledhill, a Utah mom accused of killing her husband, Matthew Johnson, amid a divorce—along with charges against her parents for alleged cover-up involvement.
- The latest developments post-acquittal for Karen Read, including a major civil wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe.
Katie also briefly touches on breaking true crime news from Florida and Texas before deep-diving into today's primary stories.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
[04:21] Breaking Updates: Wider True Crime News
- Florida: Former sheriff Anthony Shea denied bond for allegedly murdering and staging the suicide of his estranged wife, Ellie Shay.
- Texas: Cindy Rodriguez Singh, already indicted for the 2022 capital murder of her 6-year-old son, now faces four more charges including child abandonment and injury to a child.
- Context & Tone: Katie sets an urgent tone, promising ongoing updates:
"As always, head over to our social media [@crimehouse247] for any breaking news updates." —Katie Ring [04:19]
[05:00] Case 1: Jennifer Gledhill – Utah Mom’s Deadly Divorce
Background
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Parties Involved:
- Victim: Matthew Johnson, 51, Marine Corps veteran & National Guardsman
- Defendant: Jennifer Gledhill, 42, wife
- Additional suspects: Jennifer’s parents (Rosalie and Thomas Gledhill)
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Timeline:
- Ongoing bitter divorce as of September 2024.
- Matthew expresses fear for his safety—spending nights at barracks.
- Jennifer reports Matthew missing on September 28, 2024.
Investigation & Key Details
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Anonymous tip-off: Jennifer’s boyfriend comes forward, saying Jennifer confessed to killing Matthew, detailing her alleged actions in chilling clarity.
- Quote:
"Wow, if you think I could even hurt a fly... He wasn’t a person anymore. He wasn’t Matt."
—Jennifer Gledhill to her boyfriend, as relayed to police [Exact timestamp not specified]
- Quote:
-
Forensic Evidence & Surveillance:
- New mattress purchased; wall behind bed wiped with bleach.
- Blood found in bedroom (“wide circles... consistent with being shot in the head”).
- Jennifer’s GPS data shows suspicious trips.
- Surveillance: Jennifer cleaning minivan, seen on car wash security footage.
-
Possible Cover-Up:
- Neighbors saw Jennifer’s parents cleaning the garage and house days after Matthew’s disappearance.
- Neighbor’s doorbell camera places Matthew's truck 0.3 miles from home the morning after the alleged shooting.
- Jennifer texts her father requesting $13,000 days before the murder; her mother purchases a new mattress shortly after.
-
Critical Discovery:
“Inside [her parents’ home], they find a gun box for a Glock 19X — a 9mm pistol. The same kind of gun Jennifer's boyfriend said she used."
—Katie Ring [10:05] -
Legal Proceedings:
- Jennifer arrested October 2, 2024. Parents arrested on October 24.
- Charges: First-degree murder, obstruction of justice, witness tampering, desecration of a human body, felony drug charges.
- Body not yet found; still charged based on overwhelming circumstantial and forensic evidence.
- Jennifer pleads not guilty; waives preliminary hearing.
- Trial set for December 2025; pretrial conference November 6—her last chance for a plea deal.
Memorable Moments & Quotes
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On Matthew Johnson:
"Matthew Johnson's life seemed defined by loyalty—to his country, his community, and to his family…a great dad and a treasured friend."
—Katie Ring [04:44] -
Forensic Evidence Clues:
"The mattress on her bed is brand new and the wall behind it seems to have been recently wiped with bleach… reddish brown spots on the wall, bed frame, and blinds…the carpet tests positive for human blood in wide circles, which would be consistent with the theory that Jennifer had shot Matthew in the head."
—Katie Ring [07:52] -
About the boyfriend’s role:
"Jennifer asks her boyfriend not to tell anyone what she just said. She seems to think that she can trust him with this awful secret. She's wrong."
—Katie Ring [06:52]
[14:51] Case 2: Karen Read & the John O’Keefe Civil Lawsuit
Case Recap
- Incident:
- John O’Keefe, Boston police officer, found dead outside a friend’s house on January 29, 2022.
- Initial allegation: Karen Reed (his girlfriend) struck him with her car and left him to die.
- Alternative theories emerge—suggesting possible cover-up by others, given connections among friends and local police.
Criminal Proceedings
- First trial (2024): Hung jury on manslaughter; reasonable doubt led to acquittal on murder.
- Second trial (April–June 2025): Karen acquitted of all major charges but convicted of DUI—receives one year probation.
New Developments: Civil Case
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Wrongful Death Lawsuit:
- Filed August 2024 by John’s family (led by his brother Paul O’Keefe), against Karen and two bars that served her and John.
- Plaintiffs allege: wrongful death, conscious pain and suffering, severe emotional distress, lost value to next of kin.
-
Legal Context:
"Defendants in a civil trial can't be sent to jail. The judge can only punish them financially. The burden of proof is lower."
—Katie Ring [19:21] -
Strategy & Stakes:
- Karen seeks to dismiss the ‘emotional distress’ claim, arguing none of the plaintiffs were present at John’s death [Motion filed August 13, 2025].
- Both sides may introduce evidence that was denied in the criminal trial—potential for new revelations.
Notable Quotes
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On the civil vs. criminal difference:
"There are examples of a defendant being acquitted in criminal court only to be found liable in civil court later on—one of the most famous examples being O.J. Simpson."
—Katie Ring [19:39] -
On the case’s complexity:
"There are a lot of moving parts to this case. Let's start with Karen and what this all means to her. One of the challenges Karen faces is what's in public record. Since she admitted to driving while intoxicated....she could be found liable for putting him in danger."
—Katie Ring [20:24]
Timestamps for Important Segments
- [01:21] Episode structure, legal disclaimer
- [04:21] National news round-up: Anthony Shea, Cindy Rodriguez Singh cases
- [05:00] Jennifer Gledhill case introduction
- [06:35] Details on Jennifer’s alleged confession and cover-up
- [07:52] Forensic and circumstantial evidence uncovered
- [10:05] Discovery of Glock gun box at parents’ home
- [12:12] Formal charges and court process
- [14:51] Karen Read: criminal case recap
- [19:03] Civil lawsuit background and developments
- [21:15] Karen's legal strategy and current status
Episode Close
Katie invites listeners to share their theories and follow for breaking news on TikTok and Instagram (@CrimeHouse247), reminding all that every subject is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
“You stay curious and I’ll stay on the case. See you next time.”
—Katie Ring [end]
Crime House Daily continues to provide concise, thorough updates on breaking true crime cases, maintaining sensitivity and careful neutrality throughout.