Keokuk County man charged with murder

OLLIE — An investigation by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Ottumwa Police Department and Keokuk County Sheriff’s Office led to charges against 44-year-old Ollie man Jeffrey Gautreaux on Friday, Feb. 2, accusing him of first degree murder and abuse of a corpse after authorities said they found human remains outside the man’s house.

Court documents filed in the case said Ottumwa resident Craig Smith disappeared after traveling to Gautreaux’s house to drop off a car there on Jan. 7.

According to the document, Gautreaux allegedly brandished a shotgun and “shot Smith in the face; causing his death,” then “concealed Smith's body and attempted to burn Smith's remains in order to conceal his crime.”

The criminal complaint did not allude to a motive for the shooting.

Police said they initially arrested Gautreaux and his stepfather, who lived in the same house, for drug offenses, finding methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia in the residence, before charging the former with murder on Feb. 2.

While police said the human remains discovered at the home could not be identified with certainty, they had reason to believe the body was Craig’s based on the missing man’s cell phone data and an interview with Gautreaux.

“The condition of the remains is preventing law enforcement from making a positive identification,” the DCI said in a news release. “Evidence and statements collected during the investigation have led investigators to tentatively identify the remains as those of Craig Smith. The State Anthropologist, the Office of the State Medical Examiner, and the DCI Crime Lab are working to make a positive identification.”

The DCI said the investigation was ongoing.

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com