Iowa man accused of killing missing victim and trying to burn his remains

KEOKUK COUNTY, Iowa (TCD) — Officers have charged a 44-year-old man on suspicion of killing a lacking 40-year-old sufferer and attempting to burn his stays.

In line with a prison criticism, on Jan. 20, Craig Smith’s roommate reported him lacking to the Ottumwa Police Division after they hadn’t seen him in over every week.

In an interview, Smith’s sister reportedly advised detectives she final noticed her brother on Jan. 7 at her residence. She mentioned that at round 12:30 p.m. that day, Smith’s pal Desiree Potter allegedly referred to as him and requested him to work on a automotive. Smith reportedly advised Potter he needed to drop off a white 2012 Chevy Traverse with Jeffrey Gautreaux and would meet along with her later.

In line with the criticism, Gautreaux lives together with his stepfather, Steven Grant, and the Traverse was registered to Grant.

Potter additionally spoke with police, and based on the criticism, she mentioned she spoke with Smith shortly after 12 p.m. on Jan. 7. Smith reportedly advised Potter to ship photos of the car Gautreaux was going to restore for her.

Potter allegedly acquired a name from Smith at round 12:32 p.m. however didn’t reply, and that was the final time anybody heard from him.

In line with the criticism, investigators obtained mobile information evaluation, which tracked Smith’s cellphone leaving his sister’s dwelling and touring to Gautreaux’s residence.

Investigators realized Smith’s cellphone had been used for a number of hours round Gautreaux’s dwelling, however the information utilization stopped on Jan. 7 at roughly 6:24 p.m. Nonetheless, the cellphone was reportedly turned again on at Gautreaux’s on Jan. 17.

In line with the Iowa Division of Public Security (DPS), on Feb. 1, investigators with the Iowa Division of Prison Investigation (DCI), Ottumwa Police Division, and Keokuk County Sheriff’s Workplace served a search warrant at Gautreaux’s residence, the place they discovered human stays. Based mostly on their investigation, officers consider they belong to Smith, however the state anthropologist, the Workplace of the State Medical Examiner, and the DCI Crime Lab will positively determine the stays.

In line with the criticism, Gautreaux advised a DCI agent in an interview that he, Grant, and Smith have been at his place on Jan. 7. Gautreaux reportedly admitted he “aimed a shotgun at Smith and pulled the set off,” fatally taking pictures him within the face.

Gautreaux allegedly “hid Smith’s physique and tried to burn Smith’s stays.” He reportedly advised police that on Jan. 17, he turned Smith’s cellphone again on however later “destroyed it.”

Gautreaux’s stepfather advised investigators Smith and Gautreaux have been on the dwelling on Jan. 7 and he heard the gunshot from his bed room, the criticism alleges. Grant reportedly left his room and noticed his stepson in the lounge with Smith, who had died.

DCI brokers charged Gautreaux with first-degree homicide and abuse of a corpse, based on the DPS. Gautreaux and Grant have been initially charged with drug offenses, however Grant has been launched from custody.

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