FORBESTOWN, CA – In a shocking case that has gripped a California community, a man was sentenced on Tuesday to 25 years to life imprisonment for the brutal murder of his 80-year-old grandmother.

Kenneth Lewis, having pleaded no contest, faced severe judgment for the death of Violet MacGregor, who was found lifeless in the bathtub of her Forbestown home on January 21, 2024. The town is located about 80 miles northeast of Sacramento.

Authorities revealed that Lewis admitted to violently assaulting MacGregor, who he lived with, following a disturbing confession. His admission came shortly after investigators noticed his swollen knuckles and feet, suggesting his involvement. In a detailed interview, Lewis described how he mercilessly punched and kicked MacGregor as she lay on her bedroom floor.

The resulting investigation cast a gruesome light on the crime scene, which was riddled with evidence of a violent altercation. Blood spattered across the bedroom’s furnishings, walls, and floor, highlighting the severity of the attack. MacGregor’s autopsy confirmed that her death was due to blunt force trauma, supplemented by a broken neck and fractured ribs.

The motive Lewis provided was chilling—a claim that he acted in a rage after MacGregor supposedly bit his tongue when he went to kiss her goodnight. The enraged assault followed this trivial provocation.

Unconventionally, Lewis moved his grandmother into the bathroom while she was still alive, leaving her in the bathtub before retreating to bed. The following morning, after several futile attempts to obscure his actions by cleaning the crime scene, he finally contacted 911 only after realizing MacGregor had passed away. Investigators found cleaning supplies scattered throughout the residence, indicating a night spent trying to erase damning evidence.

During sentencing, Lewis expressed remorse, acknowledging the lifelong shame his actions would impart on himself and his family. Prosecutors argued for the maximum penalty of 25 years to life, emphasizing both the brutality involved and MacGregor’s vulnerability as factors. Notably, MacGregor had been recovering from a stroke she suffered just a week prior to her death.

The state’s stern stance underscored a plea for justice, attributing the maximum sentence to the need for accountability in such a savage and unforgiving act of familial violence.