Wyoming Court Upholds Lengthy Sentence for Casper Teen in Second-Degree Murder Case

The 17-year-old victim was shot by her 15-year-old ex-boyfriend at a local park, leading to discussions on youth violence and legal consequences.

Published on Mar. 3, 2026

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A 15-year-old Casper, Wyoming boy was sentenced to 42-75 years in prison for the second-degree murder of his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend, Lene'a Brown, whom he shot at close range at a local park after repeatedly harassing her. The state's high court upheld the lengthy sentence, finding it was not cruel or unusual punishment under the state constitution.

Why it matters

This tragic case highlights the issue of youth violence and the legal system's approach to sentencing juveniles convicted of serious crimes. It raises questions about the balance between rehabilitation and accountability, as well as the role of mental health support and domestic violence prevention programs for young people.

The details

In May 2024, 15-year-old Eavan Castaner shot and killed his 17-year-old ex-girlfriend Lene'a Brown at Buckboard Park in Casper. Castaner had repeatedly harassed Brown with threatening messages after their April breakup, and he brought a handgun from his mother's home to confront Brown and her cousin at the park. Witnesses said Brown approached Castaner aggressively, and he shot her at close range. Castaner pled guilty to second-degree murder and misdemeanor stalking under a plea deal.

  • On May 14, 2024, Lene'a Brown was shot and killed at Buckboard Park in Casper.
  • On May 15, 2024, Eavan Castaner was charged with first-degree murder and misdemeanor stalking.
  • Castaner pled guilty to second-degree murder and misdemeanor stalking under a plea agreement.

The players

Lene'a Brown

The 17-year-old victim who was shot and killed by her ex-boyfriend at Buckboard Park.

Eavan Castaner

The 15-year-old who shot and killed his ex-girlfriend Lene'a Brown at Buckboard Park after repeatedly harassing her.

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What’s next

The judge's decision to uphold Castaner's 42-75 year sentence for second-degree murder is final, as the state's high court has rejected his appeal claiming the punishment was cruel or unusual.

The takeaway

This case underscores the complex challenges in addressing youth violence and the need for a multi-faceted approach that combines accountability, mental health support, and domestic violence prevention programs to help young people make better choices and avoid such tragic outcomes.