Lawrence Paul Anderson, an Oklahoma man who admitted to killing three individuals and removing and cooking the heart of one victim, has been sentenced to life imprisonment.
The horrific crimes occurred just weeks after Anderson was mistakenly released from prison. Anderson pleaded guilty to multiple charges. The charges include murder, maiming, assault, and battery.
Anderson was found guilty in connection with the brutal 2021 killings of Andrea Lynn Blankenship, 41, his uncle Leon Pye, 67, and Pye’s 4-year-old granddaughter, Kaeos Yates. Anderson’s aunt, Delsie Pye, 66, was injured during the attack.
By entering guilty pleas, Anderson avoided the possibility of the death penalty, per the victims’ families’ request. Prosecutor Jason Hicks informed the media that Anderson received a life sentence instead.
During the court proceedings, the victims’ relatives expressed their anger and grief, with one family member telling Anderson to “rot from the inside out.” Tasha, the mother of Kaeos Yates, gave a powerful victim impact statement, questioning who could commit such a heinous act against a child.
Hicks stated that the families of the victims did not want the case to go to trial, as they did not wish to endure the traumatic experience of hearing the grisly details of their loved ones’ deaths in court.
Anderson’s appalling crimes occurred in February 2021, shortly after he was released from prison due to a mistaken recommendation from Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board, which led to the commutation of his 20-year drug-related sentence.
According to authorities, Anderson fatally stabbed Blankenship after breaking into her home. He then removed her heart and brought it to the Pyes’ residence. Investigators revealed that Anderson cooked the heart and attempted to feed it to his family members before stabbing and killing his uncle and Yates.
Despite being stabbed multiple times, Anderson’s aunt survived the attack.