YORK, Maine — On Wednesday in York County, 36-year-old Jeffrey Buchannan was sentenced for the murder of 35-year-old Rhonda Pattelena on Short Sands Beach in York back in March of 2021.
Jeffery Buchannan, who pleaded guilty to murder earlier this month, was handed a 40-year sentence for killing his girlfriend at the Maine beach. He told police he blacked out before the attack on Rhonda Pattelena, who was bludgeoned with a rock. He was arrested after police received multiple 911 calls that day.
Just over three years have passed since the violent act occurred in broad daylight, marking a tragic anniversary for Rhonda Pattelena's family.
"Rhonda was a giver. He extinguished a light, a caring, loving person," Sandy Melbourne, a friend said.
Rhonda Pattelena was remembered by her family as a generous and caring mother, sister, and daughter. Left behind are her three sons, who now face a life without their mother.
"We will miss her the rest of our lives on earth. Love always, Mom," Lauri Pattelena, Rhonda's mother, said.
Her sister, Jessica Pattelena, said, "He pretended he wanted to marry my sister, and took her to her favorite spot, and waited until her back was turned to commit this heinous act."
Rhonda Pattelena was sending a Snapchat video to a friend while on the beach when she was first struck, prosecutors said. Some of the assault also was captured on a surveillance video from nearby businesses, according to police.
Police collected evidence from the scene including the rock, which was displayed to the judge in court on Wednesday.
Rhonda Pattelena was already dead when police arrived; an autopsy concluded she died from head injuries. The two were domestic partners and had one child together, the youngest of Pattelena's three children. None of the children were present during the attack.
During the sentencing, family and friends addressed Jeffrey Buchannan directly, confronting him about the pain caused by the tragedy.
Jeffrey Buchannan's defense attempted to mitigate his actions by citing his upbringing and mental health as contributing factors to the crime.
His sister, Brittney Buchannan, spoke on his behalf, "Jeffrey was with me for a month and his mental health was far worse than I had ever known it to be."
Defense Attorney Jon Gale argued for a lighter sentence, highlighting other homicide cases with similar mental health issues and asserting that the crime was not premeditated.
"There is no motive, ample evidence this is motivated by thoughts and beliefs that this was not based on reality," Gale emphasized.
Ultimately, the judge decided on a 40-year sentence, a compromise between the defense's request for 30 years and the state's plea for 43.
Jeffrey Buchannan also addressed the court on Wednesday saying he will have to live with his guilt forever.
The Pattelena family raised money to purchase a table that was placed on Long Sands Beach on Nov. 16.
This table serves as a dedicated space for friends, family, and strangers to gather, honoring the memory of a woman whose life was tragically taken but whose spirit continues to shine in the hearts of those who loved her.