Reginald L. Maclaren committed the crime of killing and dismembering his wife and disabled daughter in March 2023.

On March 25 last year, the 83-year-old head of the household called the Englewood Police Dispatch and initially reported that his wife, Bethany, 70, and daughter, Ruth Jennifer, 35, were murdered, according to a press release from the 18th Judicial Attorney's Office.

At the time, the authorities arrived and found the severed bodies of Bethany and Ruth in two large black trash cans.

After searching the apartment, the police officers found a "large ax in a closet and a hand saw near the garbage cans." Maclaren later revealed that he had bought the saw and the trash cans from The Home Depot about a week prior to the murder of his family.

During his questioning, he revealed that he had just lost his job and "did not want to be homeless." Maclaren admitted to using an ax to strike his wife and daughter multiple times in the head before using a saw to dismember their bodies.

Through the autopsy report, it was also discovered that Ruth had cerebral palsy, a developmental disability that causes weak muscles and partial paralysis. The report also stated that Bethany died from six chop wounds while her daughter died of 23 chop wounds.

At the time, Maclaren reportedly told the detectives that he had no regrets about killing his family, as he "knows they are in a better place."

"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," stated Chief Deputy DA Jake Adkins.

"It is difficult to imagine the fear and confusion that these two women endured in their final moments. Ruth and Bethany Maclaren's lives were needlessly cut short, and we are thankful for the jury in returning a just verdict," added Senior Deputy DA Corrie Coler.

Last Friday, an Arapahoe County jury found Maclaren guilty of the murder of his wife and daughter. Aside from first-degree murder convictions, he was found guilty of tampering with a deceased body (2 counts) and false reporting.

His sentencing is set for July 10.

Tags
Crime, Homicide