A 20-year-old Kansas man has been found guilty of murdering his pregnant girlfriend after admitting he shot her because he feared she was about to leave him, prosecutors said — a killing friends and former partners say followed a pattern of violence, control, and repeated threats.
Matthew Criscenzo was convicted Monday of premeditated first-degree murder, felony murder, kidnapping, and aggravated battery in the May 2024 shooting death of his 20-year-old girlfriend, Naomi Oglesby. Court records show Oglesby was 37 weeks pregnant at the time.
According to prosecutors, Criscenzo shot Oglesby with a Glock 22 .40-caliber handgun inside his father’s home in Sedgwick County after an argument that escalated when she turned off his PlayStation and said she was leaving. Investigators say friends and exes described Criscenzo as violent and controlling, with court documents alleging he threatened to kill Oglesby just one week before her death.
In his arrest affidavit, Criscenzo allegedly told police he had packed up Oglesby’s belongings and pleaded with her to stop as she tried to leave. He claimed he pointed the gun at her, she swatted it away, and it fired.
After speaking with detectives, Criscenzo was allegedly overheard talking to himself in an interview room, repeatedly expressing shock over what he had done.
The shooting happened at his father’s home on South Laura Avenue. According to court records, Criscenzo’s father said he was baking a cheesecake and had gone to his bedroom when he heard a gunshot. He told police he opened the door to find Oglesby lying on the ground with a gunshot wound to her head, while his son stood over her holding a gun. The father reportedly took the weapon away as Criscenzo asked, “What did I do?”
Doctors performed an emergency C-section in an effort to save the unborn child. The baby survived but suffered severe brain damage due to oxygen deprivation, according to the affidavit. Oglesby was pronounced dead just minutes after the delivery.
When officers arrived, Criscenzo allegedly made multiple spontaneous statements, including begging police to kill him and saying he didn’t want Oglesby to leave. While being transported, he reportedly continued admitting what he had done, telling officers he should have let her go.
Police recovered a spent .40-caliber casing from the living room, two live rounds, an extended magazine, and multiple gun cases from the home. Criscenzo later claimed he was drunk and thought he had only grazed Oglesby.
Investigators also documented a prior domestic assault reported by one of Oglesby’s friends, who told police that about a week before the shooting, Criscenzo allegedly grabbed her, bit her hand, pulled out a gun, and threatened to kill her.
At trial, Criscenzo’s defense argued that while he may have intended to shoot, that did not prove intent to kill or premeditation. Prosecutors disagreed, pointing to the history of threats, controlling behavior, and the circumstances of the shooting.
A GoFundMe created for Oglesby’s child and family described her as a “beautiful young soul who was taken too soon.”
Criscenzo has not yet been sentenced. Court records show his attorney has requested immediate sentencing.
People do not want to hear about Jesus but so many are living aimless lives with no critical thinking skills so they make stupid decisions visions because they have no purpose.When you really live for Christ , study his Word.pray, attend a Bible believing Church, you get purpose