34-year-old pleads guilty to killing mother in Castle Rock

DENVER (KDVR) — Elizabeth Bjorlow’s son pleaded guilty in his mother’s death on Monday, just over two years after Bjorlow was found stabbed to death in her burning home, according to the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.

Matthew Buchanan, 34, entered a guilty plea on May 6 for second-degree murder, attempt to commit first-degree murder and attempt to commit cruelty to animals. He originally was facing 11 charges stemming from the incident.

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He is scheduled to be sentenced on the charges on July 24. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 48 years in the Department of Corrections, according to the district attorney’s office.

“It’s despicable to learn a son would kill his own mother in a brutal act of violence,” District Attorney John Kellner said in a release. “This plea avoids a lengthy, gruesome, and emotional trial. I’m advocating for the maximum sentence under Colorado law to protect the community from this defendant.”

All charges stem from a house fire that was reported at about 2:30 p.m. on April 26, 2022, on Dove Valley Place. First responders entered the home to find one family member, a paraplegic man, who could not get out on his own. Officers found Bjorlow dead on the kitchen floor.

There were additionally dogs in the house when the fire was set, leading to animal cruelty charges.

Investigators found that Bjorlow had been stabbed, with trauma to her face, head and hands. They also found that her clothes appeared to be set on fire and were partially burned. Her injuries were not consistent with an accidental fall.

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Investigators interviewed the paraplegic man, who indicated there was some type of verbal disturbance between Buchanan and his mother before the house fire.

Officers also gathered surveillance footage that showed a white minivan leaving the scene shortly before the fire was reported. Family members reported Buchanan drove that vehicle. Later, Buchanan was captured in Monroe County, Florida, and extradited to Colorado.

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