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OREM — An Orem man who prosecutors say was demeaning toward his girlfriend whom he knew had mental health issues and was suicidal, is being charged in connection with her 2021 self-inflicted gunshot death.
Caleb Aidan Rees, 29, was charged Monday in 4th District Court with manslaughter and drug possession with intent to distribute, second-degree felonies; and six counts of being a restricted person in possession of a gun and two more counts of drug possession with intent to distribute, third-degree felonies.
On Oct. 1, 2021, a 20-year-old woman living with Rees died due to a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to charging documents.
Prosecutors say the two "had a tumultuous relationship" and the woman had made allegations of domestic abuse in the past "including reporting that he had sexually assaulted her while or after threatening her with a gun to her head," the charges state.
Charging documents also state the woman's "final hours were as troubled as her relationship" overall with Rees. He asked her if she would get him in trouble for allegedly dealing drugs if he broke up with her, to which the woman replied, "It depends," according to the charges.
At that point, Rees yelled at her, saying "she is a rat," the charges state. About 1 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2021, court documents state the woman texted a friend, "I just put a loaded gun with the safety off to my head. I can't keep doing this. I want to live but not like this."
A couple of hours later, the woman sent another message to a friend, prompting the friend to call police and request a welfare check. When police called to check on the woman, Rees questioned what prompted the call and demanded to see her phone, according to the charges.
"When I tell you to get … off the phone with the police, get … off the phone," he told her, the charges state. "(Rees) then told (the woman) that she has to choose between going to a mental hospital, leaving, or going back to California because he does not want her there anymore. He also stated she 'wasted his time and ruined his life.'"
As he left the bedroom, Rees grabbed a loaded gun "and moved it to a table next to the bedroom door as he walked out — thereby placing the loaded handgun directly in the victim's line of sight," the charges state.
The woman committed suicide shortly after he left the room.
Prosecutors contend if not for Rees's actions the woman "would not have died in this way and time," and that Rees "was aware that (she) had mental health issues and was suicidal" in addition to being "aware of his own demeaning and denigrating conduct towards" her, according to the charges.
Police who searched the home after the woman's death found firearms and distributable amounts of THC, marijuana, psychedelic mushrooms and meth, the charges state.
Domestic violence resources
Help for people in abusive relationships can be found by contacting:
- Utah Domestic Violence Coalition: Utah's confidential statewide, 24-hour domestic violence hotline at 1-800-897-LINK (5465)
- YWCA Women in Jeopardy program: 801-537-8600
- Utah's statewide child abuse and neglect hotline: 1-855-323-DCFS (3237)
- National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233
Suicide prevention resources
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call 988 to connect with the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Crisis hotlines
- Huntsman Mental Health Institute Crisis Line: 801-587-3000
- SafeUT Crisis Line: 833-372-3388
- 988 Suicide and Crisis LifeLine at 988
- Trevor Project Hotline for LGBTQ teens: 1-866-488-7386
Online resources
- NAMI Utah: namiut.org
- SafeUT: safeut.org
- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
- American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Utah chapter: afsp.org/chapter/utah
Warning signs of suicide
- Talking about wanting to die
- Looking for a way to kill oneself
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no purpose
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
- Acting anxious, agitated or recklessly
- Sleeping too little or too much
- Withdrawing or feeling isolated
- Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
- Displaying extreme mood swings
The more of these signs a person shows, the greater the risk. Warning signs are associated with suicide but may not be what causes a suicide.
Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
What to do if you see warning signs of suicide
- Do not leave the person alone
- Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt
- Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
- Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional
Information from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
