Man sentenced to 30 years to life for murder, attempted murder, and assault in Shandon
Justin Tray Buchanan.
The crimes occurred on July 16, 2023
– 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 due to ongoing changes to California law and regulation.
On Oct. 14, 2025, Buchanan pleaded guilty to all charges filed against him. The charges included the murder of Kelly Jean Buchanan, the attempted murder of William Louis Buchanan, and an 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. During an argument, the defendant used a knife to attack Kelly and William Buchanan. The attack on Kelly Buchanan continued outside the residence. A neighbor, Sergio Rangel, saw the defendant attacking her and intervened, drawing the defendant away from her.
The defendant brandished the knife at Rangel, who was able to fend him off using several weapons to defend himself. The assault on Kelly Buchanan resulted in her murder. William Buchanan was severely injured, and 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.”
The District Attorney’s Office noted that even though the defendant received an indeterminate sentence, changes to California law and regulations make it impossible to predict when he may become eligible for early release. Inmates serving prison sentences for murder may receive early release credits under the Public Safety and Rehabilitation Act of 2016, which was passed by voters in November 2016.
The case was investigated by the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from 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.
