Sheridan Man Gets Life Sentence for Murdering Montana Woman in Colorado

Casey Childers of Sheridan has been sentenced to life in prison with no chance of release for the murder of Rachel Holeman, a Montana lady, in Colorado. Childers was found guilty of first-degree murder, second-degree kidnapping, and conspiring to conduct second-degree kidnapping, according to Sheridan Media.

The case began in November 2021, when Childers, Shantel Edlund (also from Sheridan), and Holeman (from Shepherd, Montana) drove to the Denver region for a drug run. Holeman disappeared during this excursion.

Aurora, Colorado police initiated an investigation after Holeman’s phone went offline within their jurisdiction, and Childers and Edlund turned off their phones. Investigators learned from Edlund’s Facebook chats that Holeman was going to meet with Edlund and Childers.

The meeting took place in the parking garage at Children’s Hospital in Aurora. Leo Vanbuskirk, also from Sheridan, became involved when visiting the hospital with his girlfriend and her sick child. During this encounter, Holeman was transferred from one car to Edlund’s, where Childers and Vanbuskirk were also present.

Edlund first told investigators that the objective was to ditch Holeman in a remote location because they felt she was attempting to prevent Childers from contacting a supplier. The location turned out to be just south of Franktown and southeast of Denver.

During the journey back to Sheridan, another person said that Childers had a violent outburst and admitted to killing Holeman. Her body was found on the morning of December 31, 2021. Police discovered a shell casing beside the victim, as well as an empty handgun box and magazine. The coroner decided that Holeman died as a result of a gunshot wound, and her death was ruled homicide.

In addition to his life sentence, Childers received 32 years for kidnapping and 16 years for conspiracy, all of which will be served consecutively.

Vanbuskirk pleaded guilty to second-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to murder. As part of a plea agreement, prosecutors will suggest a jail sentence ranging from 10 to 32 years, though a judge may impose a different sentence. Vanbuskirk is due to be sentenced in mid-October.

Edlund has already pled guilty to conspiracy to commit second-degree murder and is receiving an 18-year jail sentence, followed by five years on release.