Brandi Utley Sentenced to 25 Years for Celsa Charette Murder in Baca County

Description: The Baca County Sheriff’s Office Released the Following Statement Regarding the Celsa Charette Homicide that Occured in Baca County in 2021. Brandi Utley Sentenced to 25 years on August 28, 2023...

Celsa Charette Homicide Media Release

In the early morning hours on December 6th 2021, the Springfield Police Department and the Baca County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) responded to a report of a patient arriving at Southeast Colorado Hospital with what appeared to be a gunshot wound to the head. Investigators identified the patient as Celsa Charette, a 41 year old female who was local to the area. Investigators learned that the incident leading up to Ms. Charette’s injuries was believed to have occurred south of the Town of Vilas in an unincorporated area of Baca County.

Baca County Sheriff Aaron Shiplett and other Baca County law enforcement officers immediately began processing the scene and investigating other aspects of the incident. On December 8th, 2021, BCSO was notified that Ms. Charette had died as a result of the injuries sustained from the incident. 

The investigation identified 38 year old Brandi Kay Utley, who was Ms. Charette’s girlfriend at the time of the incident as a primary suspect in the case. Ms. Utley was interviewed by law enforcement numerous times, however, Ms. Utley continued to deny any involvement. Eventually in April of 2022, BCSO investigators were able to obtain an arrest warrant for Ms. Utley for Murder in the First Degree.  

Throughout the investigation, BCSO executed approximately 25 search warrants related to this case over the span of multiple states and as a result invested hundreds of investigative hours. Numerous pieces of evidence were transferred to different law enforcement agencies and laboratories for forensic and digital analysis.   

On August 28th, 2023, Ms. Utley pled guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, a class 2 felony, as a crime of violence and an act of domestic violence. Pursuant to a plea agreement with the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, the Court sentenced Ms. Utley to 25 years in Colorado Department of Corrections with 5 years of mandatory parole. 

The Baca County Sheriff’s Office and the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the following agencies for their assistance and technical services during this case.

Baca County Sheriff’s Posse    

Baca County Coroner’s Office

Springfield Police Department  

Colorado Springs Police Department

 Prowers County Sheriff’s Office

Stanton County Sheriff’s Office

 Larimer County Sheriff’s Office 

Colorado Bureau of Investigation

Kansas Bureau of Investigation  

 Colorado Office of Inspector General 

4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office

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