WESTMINSTER, Colo. — A 24-year-old Westminster man will face almost 50 years in prison in the death of his mother and assault of his sister.
Adrian Luis Ramirez pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of his mother and first-degree assault of his sister.
In October 2017, police responded to a 911 call along the 7700 block of Lowell Boulevard in Westminster. When they arrived, they found a 41-year-old woman unconscious on the floor with a severe head injury. Police would later learn she was his mother and she had been bludgeoned with a hammer and stabbed multiple times. She died of her injuries.
They also found a 24-year-old woman, later identified as his sister, who had been stabbed and was bleeding from her mouth and torso.
Police discovered Ramirez in the house, covered in blood and holding a knife and hammer.
They determined that three children who were in the home at the time had fled to a neighbor’s home.
During the investigation, police discovered that for an unknown reason, Ramirez attacked his sister that day. He stabbed her multiple times and threatened to kill her. Their mother threw herself on top of her daughter to try to protect her. The sister was able to run to a neighbor’s home while Ramirez attacked his mother, bludgeoning her with a hammer and stabbing her.
He has a history of abusing opiates and methamphetamine, and had been high on marijuana at the time.
Ramirez said he has no memory of the crime.
Senior Deputy District Attorney Christopher Rossi said Ramirez's family members want him to get help, but also want him to be held accountable for his actions. Rossi said Ramirez has issues with his mental health, but it doesn't rise to the level of legal insanity.
Ramirez was sentenced to 48 years in prison for his mother’s death and 25 years assault on his sister.
Adams County District Judge Sharon Holbrook sentenced Adrian Ramirez to 48 years in prison for second-degree murder and 25 years for first-degree assault. He will serve the sentences concurrently.