On April 24, 2014, authorities discovered the bodies of Ronald Evans, a 73-year-old Caucasian male, and his son, Jeffrey Evans, a 43-year-old Caucasian male, at their residence on Sunset Lake Road in Hunlock Township, Pennsylvania. Ronald Evans was found deceased on the rear deck, while Jeffrey Evans was located in a hallway inside the home. Both had sustained multiple gunshot wounds.
Investigations revealed that Ronald Evans had previously been in a sexual relationship with 40-year-old Holly Ann Crawford. Crawford's current boyfriend, 33-year-old James Edward Roche, harbored jealousy and resentment towards Ronald Evans due to this past relationship. On the evening of April 21, 2014, Crawford and Roche drove to the Evans' residence. Crawford lured Ronald Evans to the door, where Roche shot him multiple times with a .22-caliber rifle. Roche then entered the home and shot Jeffrey Evans multiple times, resulting in his death.
Following the murders, Crawford and Roche fled the scene. Authorities apprehended them in a wooded area near their residence in Ross Township. Both were charged with two counts of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit criminal homicide. In separate trials, both were found guilty on all charges. Each received consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole, plus additional time for the conspiracy charges.
The tragic deaths of Ronald Evans and his son Jeffrey Evans were the result of a complex web of past relationships, jealousy, and premeditated violence. The swift apprehension and subsequent convictions of James Roche and Holly Crawford provided a measure of justice for the victims' family and the Hunlock Creek community.
