Kathryn Restelli’s Husband Thought They Were Fixing Their Marital Problems. Then, She and Her Family Lured Him to His Death

In July 2024, a tragic event unfolded in American Fork, Utah, when 41-year-old Matthew Restelli was shot and killed by his brother-in-law, Kevin Ellis. This shocking incident emerged from a family conspiracy led by Restelli’s wife, Kathryn, which has now come to public attention again due to a recent episode of Dateline, titled “The Family Plot,” aired on September 25, 2025.

Matthew Restelli had travelled from California to Utah with hopes of reconciling his troubled marriage to Kathryn. The couple had been experiencing significant difficulties in their relationship, leading Kathryn to leave their California home weeks prior. She had sought refuge with her mother, Tracey Grist, and brother, Ellis. Unbeknownst to Matthew, Kathryn had actually devised a plan with her family that would lead to his murder.

On July 12, 2024, shortly after arriving at Grist’s residence, Matthew was shot multiple times by Kevin Ellis. Initially, Ellis claimed he had acted in self-defence, suggesting that Matthew had entered the home armed with a knife. However, investigators soon began to scrutinise this version of events. Evidence indicated that Matthew, who was left-handed, had a knife placed in his right hand after he was shot, leading authorities to believe that this was part of a carefully constructed ruse.

The events preceding the shooting reveal a chilling narrative of betrayal. Kathryn later testified that discussions around how to escape the marriage escalated from what she initially described as a joke suggested by her mother about killing Matthew. This conversation turned sinister over time, resulting in a concrete plan to end his life. Kathryn admitted in court that she had played a vital role in orchestrating the circumstances that led to her husband’s death, tracking his movements and encouraging him to come to Utah under the false pretext of reconciliation.

As Nicholson prepared for Matthew’s arrival, Kathryn confessed to altering the household setting to facilitate the plot. Toys were moved and a screen door was removed to ease his entry into the house. Moreover, she gave her children melatonin gummies to ensure they would stay asleep during the gruesome act. Despite her second thoughts about the plan, she was overruled by her mother, who insisted that the murder would proceed as planned.

During the trial that followed, it was revealed that marital strife and fear of losing her children pushed Kathryn deeper into the conspiracy. On the day before Matthew’s death, she had consulted with a divorce attorney, expressing her worries about custody issues should she decide to leave. She confided to family members that she wanted out of the marriage, a disclosure that highlighted her escalating desperation.

In July 2025, one year after the tragic event, Kathryn pleaded guilty to charges of murder, conspiracy to commit murder, and felony discharge of a firearm as part of a plea deal. This agreement allowed for the dismissal of additional charges. In September of that year, she was sentenced to serve a minimum of six years in prison. As part of her cooperation with the authorities, she testified against her mother, Grist, and brother, Ellis.

The trials for both Ellis and Grist followed. In January 2026, Ellis was sentenced to 15 years to life for his role in the murder, along with additional sentences for obstruction of justice and domestic violence. Grist’s trial concluded in June 2026, where she was likewise found guilty and labelled the “mastermind” behind the plot. The judge imposed severe penalties, recommending that she be denied parole.

This unsettling saga serves as a grim reminder of how familial dysfunction can culminate in tragedy. The Dateline episode sheds light on the disturbing dynamics within the Restelli family and the lengths to which they went to execute a plot against one of their own. As the effects of their actions reverberate through the lives of their surviving family members, it raises profound questions about loyalty, morality, and the devastating outcomes of a broken home.