A man accused of killing his stepfather and attempting to kill his mother with a hammer was sentenced to life in prison, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office announced.
In early August, 58-year-old Gary Crawford pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree murder, a Class 1 felony, and one count of attempting to commit first-degree murder, a Class 2 felony, according to court filings.
Gilbert police arrested Crawford in November 2025, after authorities determined that he bludgeoned his mother and stepfather, 91-year-old Oscar Casdorph, with a hammer at the couple’s home near McQueen and Elliott roads.
Officers were called to the home on Nov. 22 by Casdorph’s daughter. She was worried about the couple as they missed dinner plans that night and didn’t
answer the door.
Casdorph was found dead, while Crawford’s 81-year-old mother, who police did not identify, survived after being critically injured and taken to a hospital.
Crawford, who had been living at the house at the time of the incident, reportedly took one of the couple’s vehicles, as well as Casdorph’s bank card, which he used to withdraw $1,500, according to prosecutors.
Police found Crawford and the car near 59th and Orangewood avenues in Glendale the next morning. He was arrested in connection with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, fraudulent schemes and theft of means of transportation.
Crawford initially pleaded not guilty to all charges in December 2025, court records showed.
The fraud and theft charges were later dismissed, according to the court filings.
On Aug. 5, he changed his plea to guilty regarding the murder and attempted murder charges.
Crawford was sentenced to natural life in prison and an additional 21 years, Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said.
“This defendant’s family took him in, and he betrayed them in the worst way imaginable,” Mitchell said in a news release. “This sentence ensures he spends the rest of his life in prison, exactly where he belongs. My thoughts are with the victims' families as they continue to grieve and try to heal.”
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Gilbert man gets life in prison after betraying family who took him in
