Swinomish Man Gets 20 Years for Pillow Murder

SEATTLE, WA – Kevin S. O’Leary, 55, a member of the Swinomish Indian Tribe, will spend the next two decades behind bars for the brutal second-degree murder of his common-law wife, Valerie Jefferson. U.S. District Judge Robert S. Lasnik handed down the 20-year sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, today in Seattle. The case, steeped in a history of violence, reveals a chilling act of domestic terror and a callous disregard for human life.

According to court documents, on June 7, 2012, O’Leary smothered Valerie Jefferson, a Lummi tribal member, with a pillow. The argument, stemming from a decade-old affair, escalated into fatal violence. O’Leary, residing on the Lummi Reservation at the time, then callously wrapped Jefferson’s body in a blanket and concealed it under their bed, leaving her undiscovered for five agonizing days. The location of the crime – Lummi tribal trust land – triggered federal jurisdiction, bringing the case under the purview of the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

The details of the murder, laid bare in the plea agreement, are harrowing. O’Leary admitted to pushing Jefferson onto the bed and deliberately pressing the pillow against her neck until she was lifeless, acknowledging he acted with “malice aforethought.” Judge Lasnik didn’t mince words at sentencing, labeling the crime an “especially devastating” act of domestic violence. He specifically noted the profound loss experienced by Jefferson’s children, who lost not only their mother but also their grandmother, and condemned O’Leary’s subsequent actions as “special callousness.”

The courtroom was filled with grief as Jefferson’s eldest daughter addressed the court, delivering a gut-wrenching statement. “We want him to know what he has taken from us,” she said, her voice trembling. “He’s taken away our mother and our father – he was the only father we knew… My mom was a beautiful person. We hurt every day…. We are going to live in her honor the way she would have wanted us to be.” The statement underscored the lasting trauma inflicted by O’Leary’s violence.

This wasn’t O’Leary’s first brush with the law and deadly consequences. Prosecutors revealed a 1981 conviction for Negligent Homicide in Skagit County. While driving drunk, O’Leary lost control of his vehicle, plunging into a ravine and killing two passengers, including his then-girlfriend. He received a suspended 10-year sentence and probation. Judge Lasnik pointed out that, under current sentencing guidelines, that prior offense would have carried a far heavier penalty. The pattern of reckless behavior and disregard for life is chilling.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Lummi Tribal Police and the FBI. Assistant United States Attorney Jerrod Patterson prosecuted the case, securing the conviction and ensuring O’Leary faces a significant term for his horrific crime. While no sentence can truly compensate for the loss of Valerie Jefferson, the 20-year prison term sends a clear message: domestic violence will not be tolerated, and those who commit such heinous acts will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.