Damning evidence presented in court today alleges a slain man threatened his wife over text messages regarding their children in the weeks before his death. The revelations emerged during a detailed forensic examination of phone records, painting a picture of escalating conflict centered on child custody.
Prosecutors introduced a series of exhibits tracing the digital footprint of Tracy Gri, whose searches and communications are now central to a homicide investigation. The timeline reveals a frantic search for information on parental kidnapping just days after an alleged threat was sent.
On June 21, 2024, the victim, identified as Matt, sent a text message to Tracy. “Text me the address where my kids are by tomorrow morning,” the message stated. It continued with a stark ultimatum: “If you don’t text me the address tomorrow I will be calling the sheriff for kidnapping.”
This threat was followed by a series of concerning internet searches from Tracy’s device. Records from June 22 show searches including “what to do, parental kidnapping, no custody order” and “if my child’s father and I do not have a custody agreement in place, can he take my child.”
The digital trail grew more ominous in the following days. On June 27, Tracy’s phone showed repeated searches for “Alpine Cemetery” and “Cemetery near Alpine,” according to testimony from a digital forensics expert on the stand. The searches occurred multiple times within a single hour.
Communications between Tracy and her siblings, Christopher and Kelly, were also entered into evidence. In a group text on June 29, Tracy described the situation as “chaos.” When Christopher asked how Matt was taking it, Tracy responded, “I want him to show up… He still thinks it’s only for another week.”
Further texts introduced as evidence show Tracy coordinating with an individual named Teran Fisher regarding the children. Messages from July 1 indicate discussions about a child named Kate not wanting to return and the need to “take legal steps now.” The school year’s impending start was cited as a concern.
A pivotal series of messages from July 12, the day Matt was allegedly killed, were read aloud in court. At 1:47 p.m., Tracy texted Teran Fisher to warn that “Matt is headed out this way… to pick up Katie and the kiddos.” Minutes later, Tracy expressed conflicted emotions, texting, “I love you… and all I care about is that she is happy and the kids are happy.”
The most chilling message from that day was a solitary search query entered at 2:13 p.m.: “it’s happening me.” Prosecutors highlighted this search as a critical moment in the timeline of events leading to the incident.
Financial evidence was also presented, revealing transactions that may speak to motive. Text messages between Tracy and a man named Kevin Ellis discussed a Costco credit card. Tracy added a woman named Catherine as an authorized user on the account.
On June 18, Tracy texted Kevin, “The card came in the mail. What is the fastest way to mail it?” He responded, “UPS.” Prosecutors suggested this financial entanglement may be relevant to the broader context of the case.
The forensic analyst confirmed under questioning that the phone records and text messages were extracted directly from the devices involved. Each exhibit was admitted without objection from the defense, indicating the evidence’s authenticity is not in dispute.
This testimony forms a crucial part of the prosecution’s narrative, attempting to establish a pattern of fear, preparation, and confrontation. The alleged kidnapping threat is positioned as a potential catalyst for the subsequent fatal encounter.
Legal experts observing the trial note the significance of documenting a direct threat prior to a homicide. The admission of the text message in which Matt threatens to involve law enforcement could impact arguments surrounding self-defense or premeditation.
The repeated cemetery searches days before the incident are particularly jarring for the jury. Prosecutors will likely argue this demonstrates forethought, while the defense may seek to contextualize them as expressions of anxiety or unrelated planning.
The case continues to unfold with the expectation of further testimony from digital forensics experts and individuals named in the text message exchanges. The jury is tasked with piecing together this digital narrative to determine what happened on July 12.
Community reaction has been one of shock, as the cold details of text messages and search histories lay bare a domestic situation that turned deadly. The intersection of modern digital evidence with age-old conflicts over children and custody is at the heart of this tragic proceeding.
Court observers await the defense’s cross-examination of the digital analyst and their interpretation of this same evidence. The story told by the data is now a fixed part of the trial record, its meaning hotly contested by both sides in the pursuit of justice.
The trial is expected to continue for several more weeks as both the prosecution and defense present their complete cases. The judge has reminded the jury to refrain from discussing the evidence or following any media coverage of the proceedings.
This developing story highlights how the digital traces of our lives—our searches, our texts, our financial transactions—can become central evidence in a court of law, constructing a timeline where intent and action are scrutinized character by character.