On a tragic day in Elgin, Oregon, the life of 56-year-old Candy Williams was violently cut short. On December 29, 2020, Williams, a female, and her 14-year-old granddaughter, were found deceased at her residence. The brutal nature of their deaths sent shockwaves through the quiet community.
The subsequent investigation into the double homicide led authorities to a suspect, Gary Otis Mason, who was the significant other of Williams.
He was swiftly apprehended by the Union County Sheriff's Office. The details that emerged during the legal proceedings painted a grim picture of the events that transpired. Mason, 54 at the time of the crime, had made a 911 call from the residence on the night of the murders.
As the case unfolded, it was revealed that both victims had been shot multiple times. During the investigation, Mason made several incriminating statements. He later pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree murder. In May 2024, Gary Otis Mason was sentenced to two concurrent life sentences for the murders of Candy Williams and her granddaughter. He will be eligible for a parole hearing after 30 years. The motive behind the heinous act, as suggested by statements Mason made, remains deeply disturbing. He claimed Williams had been suffering and that he had to "put her down," and also stated he "had to off the kid too." The senseless loss of two lives left a lasting scar on their family and the Elgin community.
