In the summer of 2017, the life of Sandra Kay Sandland, a 53-year-old White/Caucasian female, was brought to a tragic and violent end in her Crystal, Minnesota home. On the evening of July 12th, her husband, Dennis John Sandland, then 56 years old, made chilling phone calls to his adult children, confessing that he had just shot and killed their mother.
This set in motion a tense police response that would culminate in his arrest and the grim discovery of Sandra's body.
Following the distressing calls from their father, the children immediately contacted the authorities. Police were dispatched to the Sandland residence in the 4800 block of Yates Avenue North around 6:30 p.m. Upon their arrival, Dennis Sandland initially emerged from the house but then quickly retreated inside, leading to a standoff. The West Metro SWAT team was called to the scene to assist. After approximately two hours of negotiations, Sandland surrendered to the authorities without further incident.
Once inside the home, law enforcement officers found a devastating scene. Sandra Sandland was discovered in her bed, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head. A loaded handgun was found next to her. Throughout the evening, without being prompted by investigators, Dennis Sandland repeatedly stated that he had been angry with his wife and had shot her. Family members later informed the police that the couple had been experiencing significant marital problems and had been fighting frequently in the weeks leading up to the murder. There had been at least one prior domestic-related call to the home in 2010. A breathalyzer test administered to Dennis Sandland after his arrest registered a blood alcohol level of. 094.
Dennis Sandland was charged with second-degree murder. In a plea deal, a first-degree murder charge was dismissed, and he pleaded guilty to second-degree unintentional murder in December 2018. He also admitted to aggravating factors, acknowledging that his wife was particularly vulnerable and that the crime was committed with particular cruelty. As a result of his plea, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison. With credit for the time he had already served since his arrest, he is expected to serve about 16 and a half years in prison, with the remainder of his sentence to be served on supervised release.
