SALT LAKE CITY — There’s frustration in the search to find the body of a missing member of the Utah National Guard, presumed murdered by his wife.

Matthew Johnson has been missing for nearly three months, and one of his fellow Green Berets said more should be done to find him.

“I think more can be done,” said John Hash, Utah Army National Guard 19th Special Forces Group.

Hash served with Johnson for 12 years in the Utah Guard’s 19th Special Forces Group and became friends outside of work. He was stunned to learn Johnson’s wife, Jennifer Gledhill, was arrested and charged for his murder.

“Having had Jen in our home before, you know, breaking bread with them, it turned out she’s responsible for his death; it was shocking, frankly,” Hash said.

That pain made it worse that Johnson’s body is still out there somewhere. Hash would like Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to get the National Guard out looking.

“I’d like to see the Governor commit openly to finding Matt, to bringing him home and giving him a proper burial,” he said.

A photo of Matthew Johnson and John Hash. (Courtesy John Hash)

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While the governor can call them out, the National Guard said that’s not what they do.

“This is a local law enforcement issue and not a National Guard or a state level issue. Human recovery is not a mission that’s specifically a National Guard mission or something that we specifically train for,” said Lt. Col. Chris Kroeber, Public Affairs Officer for the Utah Army National Guard.

It’s not necessarily an answer Hash wants to hear.

“You don’t give up, you leave no one behind, you bring him home, and he’s home, we just can’t find him, let’s find him,” Hash said.

Cottonwood Heights police, the agency in charge of the search for Johnson, said they didn’t have an update and are doing all they can to find him.

KSL TV contacted the Governor’s Office Thursday night but didn’t immediately hear back.

Utah’s liquor commission approved licenses for three bars and and seven restaurants Thursday, including the long-awaited second location of Kiitos Brewing.

The commission for the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services’ (DABS) also learned that a program to allow customers to “round up” purchases to the nearest dollar — and donate the difference to help unsheltered Utahns — has been successful in its first weeks.

During the board’s monthly meeting Thursday, Todd Darrington, DABS’ director of finance, said $87,989 had been raised so far for the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Account, to support its homelessness services.

Commissioner Jacquelyn Orton said she found that number to be “extraordinary.”

Through Feb. 28, shoppers at Utah’s state-run liquor stores will also find donation boxes, each supporting a different local charity. With the donation of coats, canned goods, pet food and more, customers can help organizations (see a full list at ABS.utah.gov) that support people and animals across the state.

DABS director Tiffany Clason spoke about the importance of having a plan for a safe ride home when people go out to drink. That’s why DABS has partnered with WCF Insurance and the Utah Department of Public Safety, she said, to have WCF offer $10 rideshare vouchers for bar patrons needing a ride home. People can get the vouchers by scanning a QR code at the door of the bar they’re visiting.

The bars that received their licenses Thursday are:

• SnowmoBAR, 877 S. 200 West, Salt Lake City (conditional, projected opening Jan. 1, 2025). This bar will be a rebrand of Snowmobile Pizza, which has been closed since August for a remodel.

• Eleven Nightclub, downtown Salt Lake City (conditional, projected opening Jan. 10, 2025).

• Kiitos Brewing, 1533 S. 1100 East, Salt Lake City (conditional, projected opening Jan. 28, 2025). Business manager Jamie Kearns said February is looking more likely for the opening of this second Kiitos location, in Sugar House.

The restaurants that received their licenses are:

• Don Miguel’s, 453 S. Main St., Cedar City.

• The Hub, 1165 S. Main St., Heber City.

• Cody’s Gastro Garage, 2100 S. Main St., Nephi (conditional).

• Back Spin Bistro, St. George (conditional, projected opening Jan. 1, 2025).

• Cosmica, Salt Lake City (conditional, projected opening Jan. 15, 2025).

• Lucky Slice Pizza, 37 W. Center Street, Logan (conditional, projected opening Feb. 1, 2025; this is a new location).

• Hash Kitchen, Salt Lake City (conditional, projected opening Feb. 14, 2025).

Another sunny day for Utah ahead of a pair of storms that could bring a white Christmas to the region. But until the the beginning of next week temperatures are 10 degrees or more above average for this time of year.

Salt Lake City:
Thursday- 51 degrees and mostly sunny.

Thursday Night- 29 degrees overnight.

Friday- Mostly sunny with a high of 51 degrees.

St. George:
Thursday- Mostly sunny day with a high of 62.

Thursday Night- High of 34 overnight.

Friday- 61 degrees and sunny again.

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