Man bludgeoned mother of his child to death with a rock- In a tragic incident that has shocked the community, a Massachusetts man named Jeffrey Buchannan was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the murder of his girlfriend, Rhonda Pattelena, 35, the mother of his then-toddler son. The horrific act took place on March 26, 2021, when Buchannan bludgeoned Pattelena to death with a rock at her favorite spot on the beach in Maine.
The crime was committed in broad daylight, and Pattelena was unaware of the danger she was in. Buchannan’s plea for one count of murder was accepted on the eve of jury selection, which allowed him to avoid trial and secure an agreement with prosecutors that his sentence would not exceed 43 years in prison. The judge adhered to this agreement and sentenced Buchannan accordingly.
The incident was captured on surveillance footage from a nearby business, showing Buchannan striking Pattelena while her back was turned. Despite his attempts to hide the crime, Buchannan was seen dragging and attempting to conceal Pattelena’s body before fleeing the scene.
The court was informed that this was an act of domestic violence, completely unprovoked, and that Pattelena never saw it coming. Buchannan and Pattelena had a tumultuous relationship, with several instances of domestic violence between them. In 2017, Buchannan was convicted of felony kidnapping and assaulting Pattelena and her two older sons. At the time of the murder, their reconciliation was not known to their friends and family.
During the sentencing hearing, the judge was shown the rock used by Buchannan to commit the murder. A prosecutor described Pattelena’s injuries, highlighting the brutality of the act. Pattelena had recently discussed with Buchannan the possibility of getting married, and she had wanted to show him her favorite beach, a place that would remain special to her friends, even after her death.
A candlelight vigil was held in 2021 to remember Pattelena, with friends expressing their hope that the beach would be a place of remembrance rather than the site of the horrific act.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the importance of supporting victims and their families. A GoFundMe was started by one of Pattelena’s best friends to raise funds for her three children, underscoring the community’s response to the tragedy.
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