Utah Mother-in-Law Convicted of Masterminding Son-in-Law's Murder

Verdict After Five Hours

A Utah County jury found Tracey Grist, 60, of American Fork, guilty on all charges Tuesday afternoon in the 2024 killing of her son-in-law, Matthew Restelli, 42. Jurors deliberated for just over five hours before returning verdicts of guilty on murder, a first-degree felony; conspiracy to commit murder; obstruction of justice; and two counts of domestic violence in the presence of a child. Sentencing is scheduled for June 10. Grist faces the possibility of life in prison.

Prosecutors described Grist as the “hub” and “mission control” of a conspiracy that also implicated her daughter and her son. Deputy Utah County Attorney Adam Pomeroy told jurors in closing arguments that Grist was the mastermind who orchestrated the killing while her son Kevin Ellis carried it out. “Kate and her kids were the motive, Kevin was the means, and Tracey was the mastermind,” Pomeroy said. “Without Tracey, Matthew Restelli is alive.”

How the Murder Unfolded

According to trial testimony and court records, Matthew Restelli traveled from California to American Fork on July 12, 2024, believing he was arriving at Grist’s home to collect his wife, Kathryn Restelli, and their two young children and return home together. Kathryn had been staying with her mother for several weeks amid marital difficulties. When Restelli entered the darkened house, he was shot seven times by Ellis within seconds of crossing the threshold. Authorities say he had no warning and no opportunity to defend himself.

Investigators determined that a knife found in Restelli’s right hand had been placed there after he was shot - an apparent attempt to support a self-defense claim. The knife was in his non-dominant hand, and the bullet wound to his right forearm would have made gripping anything impossible, the medical examiner testified. Ellis had purchased the knife through a subscription box service that Grist had helped a friend cancel. DNA evidence linked Grist or a member of her family to the knife.

A Family That Turned on Itself

The prosecution’s most powerful witness was Kathryn Restelli, Grist’s own daughter and Matthew’s wife, who had previously pleaded guilty to murder, conspiracy, and felony discharge of a firearm in exchange for her testimony. She told the jury that she had expressed second thoughts about going through with the plan, and that Grist responded, “I’m doing it anyway.” Kathryn was sentenced to one to 15 years in prison. Ellis, Grist’s son and Kathryn’s brother, was convicted at a separate trial in January 2026 and sentenced in March to 15 years to life.

Grist took the stand in her own defense, denying any involvement in the conspiracy. She testified that statements she had made in text messages expressing a desire to harm Restelli were jokes - flippant expressions of frustration that were never meant seriously. She denied asking her son to kill the victim and denied orchestrating the scene afterward. The jury rejected her account. Prosecutors also noted that Grist had searched the internet for a similar high-profile murder case, which they argued reflected premeditation rather than coincidence.

What Comes Next

Grist’s sentencing is set for June 10, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Utah County District Court. The charges she was convicted on carry mandatory minimums; her ultimate sentence will be determined by the judge. The case drew significant regional attention due to the roles multiple family members played in both the crime and its prosecution. All three participants - Grist, her daughter, and her son - have now been convicted in connection with Matthew Restelli’s death. Grist has maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings.

References: American Fork Woman Found Guilty In Conspiracy To Murder Son In Law | Woman Guilty Murdering Son In Law | Ut V Tracey Grist The Family Trap Murder Trial