Topline: Justin Buchanan chased and fatally stabbed his stepmother while seriously injuring his father and a neighbor during a violent attack at their home.
Published: December 5, 2025 10:00 am ET
Gavin Fish
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Justin Tray Buchanan via San Luis Obispo District Attorney's Office.
SHANDON, CA — A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to between 30 years and life in prison after he fatally stabbed his stepmother and attacked his father and a neighbor in a 2023 incident that prosecutors described as an act of family violence.
Justin Tray Buchanan pleaded guilty in October to murder, attempted murder and assault in connection with the July 16, 2023, stabbing of his stepmother, Kelly Jean Buchanan, in the small town of Shandon, according to the San Luis Obispo District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said security footage captured Buchanan chasing his stepmother outside the home before tackling her and stabbing her at least seven times.
When a neighbor attempted to stop the assault, Buchanan turned on him as well. The neighbor managed to fight him off using household items, officials said. Buchanan then stabbed his father, who survived the attack.
At a preliminary hearing, Buchanan’s father testified his son looked possessed during the incident. “His eyes went completely black, no whites in his eyes,” he said, according to the Tribune.
Prosecutors noted Buchanan had a history of mental health issues and had previously been found incompetent to stand trial. Judge Jesse Marino acknowledged this during sentencing, stating, “You said you turned into a monster, and I can’t say I disagree.”
Nancy Duckworth, the victim’s mother, delivered an emotional impact statement at the sentencing hearing. “Nothing will ever be good or fine again,” she said.
Following the sentencing, District Attorney Dan Dow emphasized the impact of the crime on the entire community. In a statement, he said the punishment “serves to punish the killer and to send a strong message to others that we will always hold offenders accountable to the maximum extent we can under California law.”
Buchanan apologized in court and asked his family for forgiveness.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Published: December 5, 2025 10:00 am ET
Justin Tray Buchanan via San Luis Obispo District Attorney's Office.
SHANDON, CA — A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to between 30 years and life in prison after he fatally stabbed his stepmother and attacked his father and a neighbor in a 2023 incident that prosecutors described as an act of family violence.
Justin Tray Buchanan pleaded guilty in October to murder, attempted murder and assault in connection with the July 16, 2023, stabbing of his stepmother, Kelly Jean Buchanan, in the small town of Shandon, according to the San Luis Obispo District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said security footage captured Buchanan chasing his stepmother outside the home before tackling her and stabbing her at least seven times.
When a neighbor attempted to stop the assault, Buchanan turned on him as well. The neighbor managed to fight him off using household items, officials said. Buchanan then stabbed his father, who survived the attack.
At a preliminary hearing, Buchanan’s father testified his son looked possessed during the incident. “His eyes went completely black, no whites in his eyes,” he said, according to the Tribune.
Prosecutors noted Buchanan had a history of mental health issues and had previously been found incompetent to stand trial. Judge Jesse Marino acknowledged this during sentencing, stating, “You said you turned into a monster, and I can’t say I disagree.”
Nancy Duckworth, the victim’s mother, delivered an emotional impact statement at the sentencing hearing. “Nothing will ever be good or fine again,” she said.
Following the sentencing, District Attorney Dan Dow emphasized the impact of the crime on the entire community. In a statement, he said the punishment “serves to punish the killer and to send a strong message to others that we will always hold offenders accountable to the maximum extent we can under California law.”
Buchanan apologized in court and asked his family for forgiveness.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
California Man Sentenced to 30 Years to Life for Brutal Stabbing Death of Stepmother
Justin Buchanan chased and fatally stabbed his stepmother while seriously injuring his father and a neighbor during a violent attack at their home.
By Gavin Fish
Published: December 5, 2025 10:00 am ET
Justin Tray Buchanan via San Luis Obispo District Attorney's Office.
SHANDON, CA — A 34-year-old man has been sentenced to between 30 years and life in prison after he fatally stabbed his stepmother and attacked his father and a neighbor in a 2023 incident that prosecutors described as an act of family violence.
Justin Tray Buchanan pleaded guilty in October to murder, attempted murder and assault in connection with the July 16, 2023, stabbing of his stepmother, Kelly Jean Buchanan, in the small town of Shandon, according to the San Luis Obispo District Attorney’s Office.
Authorities said security footage captured Buchanan chasing his stepmother outside the home before tackling her and stabbing her at least seven times.
When a neighbor attempted to stop the assault, Buchanan turned on him as well. The neighbor managed to fight him off using household items, officials said. Buchanan then stabbed his father, who survived the attack.
At a preliminary hearing, Buchanan’s father testified his son looked possessed during the incident. “His eyes went completely black, no whites in his eyes,” he said, according to the Tribune.
Prosecutors noted Buchanan had a history of mental health issues and had previously been found incompetent to stand trial. Judge Jesse Marino acknowledged this during sentencing, stating, “You said you turned into a monster, and I can’t say I disagree.”
Nancy Duckworth, the victim’s mother, delivered an emotional impact statement at the sentencing hearing. “Nothing will ever be good or fine again,” she said.
Following the sentencing, District Attorney Dan Dow emphasized the impact of the crime on the entire community. In a statement, he said the punishment “serves to punish the killer and to send a strong message to others that we will always hold offenders accountable to the maximum extent we can under California law.”
Buchanan apologized in court and asked his family for forgiveness.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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