A southeast Iowa man who confessed to killing and burning an Ottumwa man was sentenced to 50 years in prison last week.
In March, 45-year-old Jefferey Gautreaux of Ollie pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in the death of 40-year-old Craig Smith. Gautreaux was originally charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse, which was dismissed.
Smith was reported missing on January 20, 2024, by his roommate, who told authorities he hadn’t seen Smith in two weeks.
According to the Iowa Department of Public Safety, investigators were executing a search warrant on Highway 78 near Ollie on February 1, 2024, when they found human remains that were later determined to be Smith’s. Gautreaux later admitted to shooting Smith in the face with a shotgun.
Gautreaux is required to serve 35 years of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.
