PROVO, Utah — Tracey Grist, 60, is currently on trial facing multiple charges including murder, criminal conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and domestic violence involving a child, in connection with the fatal shooting of Matthew Restelli, 42. The incident occurred in Grist’s home, where Restelli was shot by Grist’s son, Kevin Ellis.
Grist has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The victim’s wife, Kathryn Restelli—who is both Grist’s daughter and Ellis’s sister—previously pleaded guilty to murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and unlawful discharge of a firearm shortly after her arrest. She was sentenced to one to 15 years in prison. Kathryn has testified at her brother’s trial and is expected to provide testimony at her mother’s trial as well.
According to prosecutors, Matthew Restelli was lured under the pretense that he was coming to Grist’s home to pick up his wife and their two children to return home to California. However, Kathryn Restelli testified that she did not intend to leave and instead collaborated with Grist and Ellis to carry out the killing.
Ellis claimed self-defense in the shooting, indicating that Restelli was armed with a knife at the time. Police found a knife in Restelli’s hand, but investigators determined it was held in his non-dominant hand. The knife was reportedly purchased online, allegedly by Grist.
During Ellis’s sentencing, prosecutors described Grist as the mastermind behind the murder plot, presenting digital evidence linking her to the crime. Notably, Grist’s internet search history included queries about “Katherine Magbanua,” implicated in the murder-for-hire case of FSU professor Dan Markel, as well as searches related to Donna Adelson and an episode of “Dateline” focusing on the Adelson family. The Adelson family members, including Donna Adelson and Charlie Adelson, had been sentenced in connection with Markel’s murder.
Additional searches on Grist’s devices pertained to securing a U.S. passport quickly and referenced the “its happening meme.”
On the fifth day of the trial, Detective Joseph Nordin testified about evidence recovered at the crime scene and detailed Grist’s internet searches concerning Donna Adelson. Furthermore, Ellis’s sister, Rachel Jorgensen, testified to Grist’s alleged involvement in planning the murder.
As the trial continues, the prosecution aims to establish Grist’s role as the ringleader in the conspiracy that led to Matthew Restelli’s death. Grist maintains her innocence in the case.
