Clackamas County, Oregon Man Sentenced to Life in Prison for Shooting His Mother, Whom He Believed Was Possessed, as She Tried to Evict Him
CLACKAMAS COUNTY, OREGON — An Oregon man who allegedly believed his mother was possessed by a demon has been sentenced to life in prison for shooting and killing her in November 2024, then remaining in the home with her body for about a day.
Ronald Kirk, 38, was convicted of murdering his 61-year-old mother, Rosa Leyva, as reported by Law&Crime.
Sentence and Convictions at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Defendant | Ronald Kirk, 38 |
| Victim | Rosa Leyva, 61, his mother |
| Date of killing | November 2024 |
| Convictions | Second-degree murder, felon in possession of a firearm |
| Verdict | Clackamas County jury, October 2026 |
| Sentence | Life in prison, at least 25 years before parole eligibility |
| Restitution | $5,000 for funeral expenses |
Co-Workers’ Concern Led Police to the Home
Police went to Leyva’s home for a welfare check after her co-workers became worried about her.
Officers found Leyva at the dining room table, with a glass of wine and a laptop in front of her and pillowcases draped over her body. Kirk answered the door and told officers his mother had been unconscious for about a day.
Mother Was in the Process of Evicting Her Son
Prosecutors said Kirk shot his mother in the head after she texted him to leave her home. Leyva was in the process of evicting him.
She had earlier told him she did not want anyone in her house, and home surveillance captured her telling him he was “higher than a kite” and urging him to get help.
Witnesses Describe Drug Use and Exorcism Obsession
During the trial, witnesses described Kirk as volatile and often under the influence of drugs.
A close friend of Leyva testified that the mother had said Kirk believed she was possessed by a demon, and that he became obsessed with exorcism while using drugs.
Chilling Voicemail Played for Jurors
Jurors also heard a voicemail Kirk left his mother about a month before her death, according to Gray News. In it, he claimed she was possessed and said he had nearly shot her the day before.
Why Oregon Law Required a Life Sentence
Under Oregon’s murder statute, anyone convicted of second-degree murder who was at least 15 years old at the time must be sentenced to life in prison. The law also requires a minimum of 25 years in custody before parole can be considered.
Victim’s Niece Confronts Kirk in Court
At sentencing, Leyva’s niece spoke directly to Kirk. She said she hoped he would one day be forced to face what he had done, and told him he had forfeited his place in the family’s lives and future.
When Family Conflict Turns Dangerous
The case highlights how substance use, mental health crises and family conflict can sometimes escalate to violence. Warning signs can include threats, paranoid beliefs and erratic behavior.
Where to Find Help
- Call 911 if someone is in immediate danger
- Call or text 988 for mental health or substance use crises
- Contact local domestic violence hotlines for safety planning
- Reach out to SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for addiction support
Stay with Bchssreport.com for the latest updates on this story.
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