Man sentenced to life for murdering stepfather, assaulting mother with hammer in Gilbert

A man was sentenced to spend the rest of his natural life in prison after murdering his stepfather and attempting to kill his mother with a hammer in Gilbert last year, officials announced Wednesday.

Gary Crawford also received an additional 21 years on top of his life sentence, according the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.

“This defendant’s family took him in, and he betrayed them in the worst way imaginable,” Maricopa County Attorney Rachel 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.”

On Nov. 22, 2025, Gilbert Police officers were called to a home near McQueen and Elliot roads after a caller said she was supposed to have dinner with father but he wasn’t answering the door.

When police arrived at the residence, they found 91-year-old Oscar Casdorph dead after being bludgeoned with a hammer. His 81-year-old wife, Crawford’s mother, was also struck multiple times with the hammer but survived after being hospitalized in critical condition.

Crawford, who had started living with the couple a few weeks prior, was missing along with one of their cars. While investigating, detectives discovered Crawford had stolen the couple’s cell phones as well as Casdorph’s debit card and withdrew $1,500.

The next day police located the missing vehicle and Crawford in Glendale before arresting him.

Crawford pleaded guilty to to first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder.

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