Three men were sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the killing of a family in Washington state in 2017 over alleged drugs and money. Danie Kelly Jr., Robert Watson III, and Watson’s brother Johnny Watson were each sentenced to four life sentences for each count of first-degree murder, along with additional time for attempted murder convictions and firearm enhancements. The victims, Christale Careaga, Hunter Schaap, Johnathon Higgins, and John Careaga, were found dead in their burned home on the Kitsap Peninsula. John Careaga was involved in selling cocaine locally, and investigators believe the killings were not related to the Bandidos motorcycle club, of which Robert Watson was a leader in a local chapter.
John Careaga had hidden hundreds of thousands of dollars under his home, but the money was never found after the murders. Detectives discovered that more than $300,000 had been deposited into Robert Watson’s accounts in 2017, along with numerous unidentifiable cash deposits. Kelly, who was associated with the Bandidos as a “hang-around,” had a falling out with Careaga before the murders. A neighbor reported seeing John Careaga’s truck speeding away from the house with Kelly driving and another car close behind. Defense attorneys argued during the trial that there was no evidence of anything being taken from the Careaga home, casting doubt on the timeline and cellphone tower data used by investigators.
Relatives of the victims spoke in court, describing the pain and loss inflicted on the blended family since the murders. John Careaga was remembered as a loving father and uncle, while Christale Careaga was described as a bright light with a personable personality. Johnathon Higgins was a big teddy bear, and Hunter Schaap was noted for his courage, especially the night of the murders when he called 911 to report intruders in the home. The Watson brothers and Kelly declined to speak in court during sentencing. The killings have left a lasting impact on the community and those who knew the Careaga family, with the judge sentencing the three men to life in prison as a result of the senseless violence.
The court documents revealed a complex web of relationships and illegal activities that led to the tragic murders. John Careaga’s involvement in selling cocaine locally, and his interactions with Robert Watson, ultimately escalated to a deadly confrontation that resulted in the deaths of four family members. The investigation uncovered financial transactions and suspicious cash deposits that indicated possible motives for the crime. Despite attempts by defense attorneys to challenge the evidence presented by detectives, the jury found the three men guilty of the murders and sentenced them to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The violence and loss inflicted on the Careaga family have left a lasting impact on the community.
The sentencing of the three men brought closure to the families of the victims, who had been waiting for justice since the tragic events in 2017. The emotional testimonies shared in court painted a picture of the individuals who lost their lives due to the senseless violence, leaving behind a legacy of love and compassion. The judge’s decision to hand down life sentences without the possibility of parole reflected the severity of the crimes committed by the defendants. The community mourned the loss of the Careaga family and remembered them for their contributions to the local area.
The brutal murders of the Careaga family sent shockwaves through the community, prompting an outpouring of support and sympathy for those affected by the tragedy. The sentence handed down to the three men involved in the killings served as a message that such senseless acts of violence would not be tolerated. The investigation into the murders revealed a chilling chain of events that ultimately led to the deaths of four individuals, leaving a lasting impact on all those who knew the Careaga family. The sentencing of the defendants brought a sense of closure to the case, but the scars left by the tragedy would remain for years to come.