DA's Office files charges for the October Murder of U of U Student

Salt Lake City, UT — The Salt Lake County District Attorney's Office filed aggravated murder and other charges Wednesday against Austin Jeffery Boutain and criminal solicitation and other charges against Kathleen Elizabeth Rose Boutain. It is alleged that on Oct. 30, 2017, Austin Boutain killed ChenWei Guo in Red Butte Canyon in Salt Lake City. As outlined in the Informations and Statements of Probable Cause linked below, it is alleged that Mr. Boutain shot to death ChenWei Guo, a University of Utah student, in an attempt to rob or kidnap Guo and X.D., a female passenger in Guo's vehicle.

Mr. Boutain is charged with Criminal Homicide, Aggravated Murder, a First Degree Felony with a maximum possible punishment of death. Mr. Boutain is also charged with Attempted Criminal Homicide, Aggravated Murder, a First Degree Felony, punishable by up to five years to life in prison, and Aggravated Kidnapping, a First Degree Felony, punishable by up to 15 years to life in prison. Mr. Boutain is also charged with Aggravated Robbery, a First Degree Felony, two counts of Purchase, Transfer, Possession or Use of a Firearm by a Restricted Person, Second Degree Felonies, three counts of Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, Second Degree Felonies, and five counts of Felony Discharge of a Firearm, all Third Degree Felonies.

Mrs. Boutain is charged with Criminal Solicitation, a First Degree Felony, punishable by up to five years to life in prison, two counts of Criminal Solicitation, Second Degree Felonies, and three counts of Theft by Receiving Stolen Property, all Second Degree Felonies.

The District Attorney's Office expresses its heartfelt condolences to the family of ChenWei Guo and to X.D. and her family.

The District Attorney's Office commends the University of Utah Police Department for their professionalism in investigating this case and the many law enforcement agencies who responded to the Oct. 30, 2017 incident to assist and support the University of Utah Police Department.

All persons accused of wrongdoing are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.