Beth McCann

District Attorney

Second Judical District

370 17th Street, Suite 5300,
Denver, CO 80202

720-913-2000
Beth.McCann@denverda.org

News Release

October 20, 2021 Contact: Carolyn Tyler, Communications Director, carolyn.tyler@denverda.org, 720-913-9025

Sean Landrock Receives Maximum Sentence for Murder of Shaina Castillo

DENVER—Denver District Court Judge Edward Bronfin sentenced 27-year-old Sean Landrock on Friday to the maximum possible sentence for what he described as the “senseless, reprehensible and brutal murder” of his girlfriend, Shaina Castillo.

“Studies have shown that Native American women like Shaina Castillo suffer domestic violence at alarmingly high rates in epidemic proportions, and my office is committed to securing justice for them,” said Denver District Attorney Beth McCann. “October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and this case sends a very clear message to all abusers: Denver’s system of justice will hold you accountable for your violent actions. This was a tragic case and I am proud of the professionalism, grace and passion that our victim advocates, investigators and prosecutors showed Ms. Castillo’s family, friends and most of all her children.”

In August 2019, Landrock fatally shot Ms. Castillo in front of her three young sons (ages 5, 3, and 1) and then abandoned the children in the apartment where the murder occurred. In August 2021, a Denver jury found Landrock guilty of one count of Second Degree Murder and three counts of Child Abuse. On the Second Degree Murder conviction, Landrock was sentenced to 48 years in the Department of Corrections. On each of the three Child Abuse counts, Landrock was sentenced to 12 months in the Denver County Jail. All counts were ordered to run consecutive to one another. Additionally, Landrock was sentenced to five years parole and ordered to pay $7500 in restitution.

During sentencing, Judge Bronfin said this case represented one of the more aggravated cases he has presided over in his 13 years on the bench.

-30-