Hailey
Charles Crawford, who pleaded no contest in December to the fatal shootings of his estranged wife and her new partner, was sentenced on Friday in Sedgwick County to two consecutive life sentences.
The crime occurred on July 25, 2023, inside a Riverside-area home in Wichita, Kansas.
Tragic Discovery at a Daycare Home
Victims Vanessa Crawford and Donald J. Eckert were found shot to death inside Vanessa’s residence, where she also operated a daycare center.
A 22-year-old woman who arrived that morning to drop off her child noticed the door, usually left open, was locked.
Peering through a window, she saw the two lying motionless and immediately contacted one of Vanessa’s friends, who later confirmed the tragic scene and called 911.
Motive Rooted in Jealousy and Domestic Dispute
According to court records, Vanessa and Charles were in the middle of a divorce, and she had recently started dating again.
A close friend of Vanessa told police that Charles had made threatening remarks, including that he was going to “put a bullet” in Donald’s head.
Confrontation and Confession
Police tracked Charles Crawford’s white GMC truck to the area of Woodrow Street, not far from the murder site. Officers found him sitting near a fence, holding a semi-automatic handgun, which he occasionally pressed to his own head.
During negotiations, Charles admitted to the shootings, describing how he entered Vanessa’s home around 1 a.m. and confronted the couple in the bedroom.
He claimed that after a struggle with Vanessa, the gun accidentally discharged, killing her. He then turned the weapon on Donald as he began to rise from the bed. After the shootings, Charles returned to his Lake Afton trailer, where he allegedly attempted suicide, but said the firearm malfunctioned.
Court Proceedings and Final Judgment
Crawford was charged with two counts of first-degree felony murder and entered a no contest plea in December 2024.
In February 2025, he tried to withdraw his plea, but the court rejected his motion. The consecutive life sentences reflect the gravity of the crime and the emotional toll it has taken on the victims’ families and the community.
The sentencing of Charles Crawford brings a degree of closure to a heartbreaking case that rocked the Riverside neighborhood and highlighted the tragic consequences of domestic violence.
As the community mourns, the case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of early intervention in volatile family situations.