Man hit his wife and daughter multiple times with an ax before using a hand saw to cut them up in a heinous act he planned for weeks after losing his job; found guilty

Colorado – In a case that has shaken Colorado, an 83-year-old man, identified as R. MacLaren was found guilty by a jury for the horrific murder of his wife and disabled daughter. The conviction includes two counts each of first-degree murder, tampering with deceased bodies, and one count of false reporting.

Last year, on March 25, 2023, MacLaren contacted authorities, claiming that his wife, 70-year-old B. MacLaren, and daughter, 35-year-old R. MacLaren, had been murdered. However, upon arrival, police discovered a horrific scene. In the living room of the MacLaren residence, officers found two large trash cans; one contained the severed body of his wife and the other his daughter.

Nearby, authorities located a large ax and a hand saw—the tools used in the murders. The investigation revealed that Reginald had purchased these tools, along with the trash cans, over a week earlier at a local store, meticulously planning the heinous act.

The details that emerged during the trial painted a chilling picture of premeditation and cold-blooded murder. DA J. Adkins expressed his disbelief at the betrayal by MacLaren, highlighting the calculated nature of the killings. He remarked, “Mr. Maclaren betrayed his family in a gruesome and senseless ambush that he planned for weeks. He violently murdered his wife and daughter and planned to dispose of their bodies like trash.” Forensic evidence supported the prosecution’s case, showing that both victims had sustained substantial injuries from the ax before being cut “into pieces.”

Approximately three hours after making the initial 911 call, MacLaren confessed to the crimes. He told investigators that recent personal setbacks, including job termination and financial ruin, drove him to commit the murders to prevent his family from facing homelessness. According to the affidavit, MacLaren detailed the execution of his plan, revealing he hit both his wife and daughter multiple times with an ax as they sat on their couch, rendering them unconscious before delivering additional fatal blows.

Despite the nature of his actions, MacLaren expressed no regret, believing he had placed his family in a better situation. His lack of remorse and the details of the crime shocked the authorities. MacLaren’s sentencing is scheduled for July 11, when he faces a mandatory life sentence. The District Attorney’s office hopes that the closure of this case will bring some solace to the community and the families affected by this dreadful crime.