close
close

Woman pleads guilty to first-degree murder in Shasta County

Criminal investigators from the California Department of Justice confirmed that the gun in the suspect's possession at the time was the murder weapon

“California Department of Justice criminalists evaluate evidence, including firearms and ballistics, to assist law enforcement in their investigations and prosecutors in their prosecutions. They provide an invaluable service to law enforcement, public safety and the criminal justice system in our state.”

CSLEA President Alan Barcelona

SHASTA COUNTY – On August 16, 2024, Crystal Odom pleaded guilty to first-degree murder, admitted to using a firearm in the commission of the crime, admitted to committing the murder while lying in wait, and admitted to numerous aggravating circumstances related to the crime.

On October 27, 2023, Odom entered the victim's apartment through a bathroom window, waited for the victim to enter her bedroom, and shot her twice in the back, ultimately causing her death. During their investigation, Shasta County Sheriff's detectives found that Odom considered the victim her “grandma” and the motive for the crime was family issues related to possible thefts and Odom's eviction from the home.

Odom was tracked down and arrested on October 28, 2023. At that time, a handgun was found in her possession. California Department of Justice detectives later confirmed that the gun found in Odom's possession was the gun used to kill the victim. Odom was also questioned at the Sheriff's Department, where she admitted to shooting the victim on the night of the 27th.

Odom is sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Sentencing is scheduled for September 13, 2024 at 3:30 p.m. in Division 24.

You may also like...