SLO County Man Sentenced 30 Years to Life in Prison For Murder, Attempted Murder, and Assault With a Deadly Weapon

District Attorney Dan Dow announced that Justin Tray Buchanan (34) has been sentenced to serve 30 years to life in State Prison. His future eligibility for early release is unknown at this time due to continuous changes to California law and regulation.

On October 14, 2025, Buchanan pleaded guilty to all charges filed against him, which included the murder of Kelly Jean Buchanan, the attempted murder of William Louis Buchanan, and assault with a knife on Sergio Rangel.  Buchanan also admitted that he personally used a knife in the assaults and that he inflicted great bodily injury during his attack on William Buchanan.  

The crimes occurred on July 16, 2023 at a residence in Shandon when, during an argument, the defendant used a knife to attack Kelly and William Buchanan.  The attack on Mrs. Buchanan continued outside of the residence.  A neighbor, Sergio Rangel, observed the defendant attacking Mrs. Buchanan and intervened, drawing the defendant away from her.  

The defendant brandished the knife at Mr. Rangel, who was able to fend him off using several weapons to defend himself.  The assault on Mrs. Buchanan resulted in her murder.  Mr. Buchanan was severely injured in the assault.  Mr. Rangel was unharmed.  

“The tragedy of family violence leaves a lasting effect on the entire family and our community,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “While this sentence will not bring Mrs. Buchanan back, it 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.” 

[Note: Though the defendant was sentenced to serve an indeterminate sentence (‘to-life’), due to California law and Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation regulations being changed continuously, it is not possible to predict with certainty when he will be deemed eligible for early release. Even those inmates serving a prison sentence for murder are eligible for early release credits pursuant to the law passed by voters in November 2016. Prop 57 was called, “the Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016.”]

This case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office with the assistance of the San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Bureau of Investigation. The prosecution effort was led by Deputy District Attorneys Ashley Cervera and Bianca Aguayo.  Victim Witness services were provided by Victim Advocate Divina Diaz and Witness Coordinators Kellie Navarro and Eloiza Basinger.