REGINALD MACLAREN | 83-Year-Old Man Who Killed, Dismembered Wife And Disabled Daughter With Ax and Saw In “One Of The Most Gruesome Crime Scenes” Police Had Ever Seen | Told police he did “not regret” killing his wife and child because he “knows they are

Reginald Maclaren. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Denver, CO. August 5, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED

Reginald Maclaren Case Report

Background: Reginald Maclaren, an 83-year-old Englewood, Colorado, resident, was found guilty on multiple counts in the killings of his wife and daughter. The nature of the crimes as well as the subsequent trial received substantial media attention. Reginald Maclaren’s daughter, Ruth Jennifer Maclaren, suffered cerebral palsy. This is a developmental disorder that can result in weakened muscles and partial paralysis. The disease also includes a “large left cerebral hemisphere porencephalic cyst, chronic weakness of her right upper extremity, and epilepsy,” according to medical records. Her disability was a crucial factor in the case, adding misery to an already horrible murder.

Incident Overview: On March 25, 2023, Reginald Maclaren was accused of the brutal murder of his wife, Bethany Maclaren, aged 70, and his disabled daughter, Ruth Jennifer Maclaren, aged 35. The investigation revealed that he used an ax to commit the homicides and attempted to dismember one of the bodies with a saw before placing them in large trash cans within their home at 901 Englewood Parkway.

Motive and Confession: Maclaren initially reported to the police that someone he knew had murdered his family members with a hammer. However, upon further investigation, he confessed to the killings, citing his recent job loss and the fear of his family becoming homeless as the motive behind his actions.

Legal Proceedings: The Arapahoe County jury found Maclaren guilty of two counts of first-degree murder after deliberation, two counts of tampering with a deceased body, and one count of false reporting. The Chief Deputy District Attorney, Jake Adkins, described the murders as a “grizzly and senseless ambush” that Maclaren had planned for weeks.

Sentencing: Reginald Maclaren received numerous life sentences for the murder of his wife and daughter. He received a life sentence without parole for both first-degree murder convictions. He also received a 12-year sentence from the Department of Corrections for tampering with deceased bodies on both charges, as well as 120 days in jail for false reporting. The judge determined that the sentences would run consecutively. As a result, Maclaren will be imprisoned indefinitely for his crimes.

During the trial, Reginald Maclaren showed no remorse for the killings of his wife and daughter. Reports indicate that he stated he believed his family was in a better place after the massacre. Additionally, he was quoted saying he did not regret killing them because he “knows they are in a better place”. This lack of remorse likely impacted the sentencing phase of his trial.

VIDEO: 83-year-old man convicted of killing wife and daughter with ax | https://youtu.be/9lcYT9c-uR8

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