OREM, Utah — Caleb Aidan Rees, 31, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and related charges in connection with the 2021 suicide of his 20-year-old girlfriend, Rena Nguyen, a Brigham Young University (BYU) student. Prosecutors alleged that Rees’s emotional abuse and decision to place a loaded handgun within her reach during a heated argument contributed to her death.

Nguyen, a biology major aspiring to become a radiologist, died on October 3, 2021 (two days after shooting herself on October 1), from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Audio recordings secretly captured on her phone—later discovered by a private investigator hired by her family—provided critical evidence. In the recordings, Rees can be heard insulting Nguyen, calling her “dumb,” suggesting she belonged in a mental institution, and berating her while she pleaded with him to stop.

According to court documents, the couple was in the midst of a tumultuous relationship marked by allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault. On the night of the incident, Nguyen had texted a friend earlier that day saying she had held a loaded gun to her head and expressed, “I can’t keep doing this. I want to live but not like this.” Rees was aware of her mental health struggles and suicidal ideation.

During the argument, Rees reportedly moved a loaded handgun from beside the bed to a table near the door—placing it directly in Nguyen’s line of sight—before leaving the room. Moments later, a gunshot was heard on the recording. Prosecutors argued that Rees “consciously disregarded the risk” and that his actions were the proximate cause of her death.

Rees pleaded guilty to manslaughter (with a domestic violence enhancement), two counts of possession of a firearm by a restricted person, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute. He faces up to 20 years in prison across the charges. Sentencing was scheduled for June 2026 (noting some reports reference ongoing proceedings). A judge described the audio evidence as “nothing short of horrific.”

Nguyen’s family, including her parents Rose and Keith Nguyen, has spoken publicly about the loss, emphasizing awareness of domestic violence warning signs. They described their daughter as a high-achieving student with a bright future who moved from California to Utah for school at age 17. The family previously filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Orem police, alleging mishandling of prior reports.

This case underscores the devastating impact of emotional and domestic abuse, particularly when firearms are accessible to individuals in crisis. Resources like the National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (dial 988) are available for those in need.

Sources:

• KUTV / KSL.com
• FOX13 News Utah