UPDATE: A man has just pleaded guilty to the shocking murder of a Catholic priest in Nebraska. Kierre Williams, 31, admitted to fatally stabbing the Rev. Stephen Gutgsell, 65, during a break-in at the priest’s rectory next to St. John the Baptist Church in Fort Calhoun. The plea was entered during a routine pretrial hearing on October 24, 2023, and Williams faces a life sentence when he is formally sentenced on November 12, 2023.
This tragic incident unfolded on December 2023, just hours before Gutgsell was set to celebrate Mass. Authorities report that Gutgsell called 911 early that morning, alerting them to a man with a knife in his kitchen. When deputies arrived shortly thereafter, they found Gutgsell critically injured and bleeding from multiple stab wounds. He was rushed to a hospital in Omaha, where he succumbed to his injuries.
Williams, who had been working at a meatpacking plant in Sioux City, Iowa, was apprehended at the scene. Investigators discovered a broken knife with a serrated blade in Gutgsell’s bedroom, leading to Williams being charged with first-degree murder, burglary, and weapon offenses. Washington County prosecutors opted not to pursue the death penalty, resulting in a potential life sentence without parole for Williams.
The murder of Rev. Gutgsell has deeply affected the small community of Fort Calhoun, home to approximately 1,100 residents. The town was already shaken by another unsolved killing just four months prior, leaving locals on edge. Investigators have struggled to establish any connection between Williams and the late priest, raising further questions in the community.
Williams has a history of felony convictions in other states, which adds to the troubling nature of this case. His attorney has not yet commented on the latest developments.
As the community mourns the loss of a beloved priest and seeks answers, all eyes will be on the upcoming sentencing. The emotional impact of this crime continues to resonate throughout Fort Calhoun, highlighting the urgent need for safety and justice in the area. Residents are left grappling with the aftermath of this violent act, making it clear that the consequences of this tragedy will linger long after the legal proceedings conclude.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
