A Gilbert man will spend the rest of his life behind bars after killing his 91-year-old stepfather with a hammer and attacking his 81-year-old mother inside their home last year.
Gary Crawford, 58, was sentenced on September 23, 2026, to natural life in prison, followed by an additional 21 years. The sentence came after Crawford pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in connection with the November 2025 attack.
The case began on the evening of November 22, 2025, when Gilbert police were called to a home near McQueen and Elliot roads for a welfare check.
A family member had become concerned after 91-year-old Oscar Casdorph failed to show up for planned dinner and could not be reached. When officers entered the home, they found Casdorph dead from severe head injuries caused by a hammer attack.
Casdorph’s wife, Crawford’s mother, was also found seriously injured. Investigators determined that she had been struck repeatedly with a hammer and shot in the head. Despite the severity of her injuries, she survived.
Investigators soon focused on Crawford, who had moved into the couple’s home only a few weeks before the attack. He was no longer at the house, and one of the couple’s vehicles was also missing.
The investigation later found that Crawford had taken the victims’ cellphones and Casdorph’s bank card. Authorities said the card was used to withdraw $1,500.
Police located Crawford the following morning in the couple’s stolen vehicle in Glendale. He was arrested without incident.
The investigation ultimately led to charges for first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder, both involving domestic violence allegations. Crawford later entered guilty pleas to both offenses.
The life sentence means Crawford will remain in prison for the rest of his natural life, with the additional 21-year term imposed for the attempted killing of his mother.
The case brought an end to a criminal proceeding that began with a welfare check after a family member became worried when an elderly couple suddenly stopped responding.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said the victims’ family had taken Crawford into their home before the attack and described the betrayal as especially painful for the family. She also expressed sympathy for those continuing to grieve the loss of Casdorph and recover from the attack.
