Napa Couple Convicted Of Torturing, Murdering Woman's 3-Year-Old Daughter

NAPA, CA -- Jurors on May 30 convicted Sara Lynn Krueger and Ryan Scott Warner of the torture murder and assault causing death of Krueger's 3-year-old daughter at the couple's Napa apartment in 2014, prosecutors said.

A Napa County Superior Court jury returned its verdict against Krueger, 27, around 10:10 a.m., and a separate jury then returned its verdict against Krueger's 29-year-old boyfriend Warner for the death of Kayleigh Slusher.

The juries heard evidence separately against the defendants during the same trial that began May 1.

The defendants face life without the possibility of parole for first-degree murder and a special allegation that the slaying on Jan. 30, 2014, involved torture, and 25 years to life for assault on a child causing death when they are sentenced July 27, Assistant Napa County District Attorney Paul Gero said.

An autopsy determined Kayleigh died of blunt force trauma. The girl's body, which had been placed in a freezer, was found on Feb. 1, 2014, in a suitcase on a bed in an apartment. Krueger and Warner were arrested on Feb. 2 at a BART station in El Cerrito.

The jury hearing the evidence against Krueger reached a verdict Thursday after a day of deliberation, but the verdict was sealed until the other jury reached a verdict against Warner.

The Napa County District Attorney's Office is not seeking the death penalty against the defendants. Krueger and Warner face 25 years to life in prison on each of the murder and assault causing the death of a child
charges.

Previous coverage:

• Mother, Boyfriend To Stand Trial For Girl's Torture Murder
• Mother, Boyfriend Plead Not Guilty to Murder of 3-Year-Old
• Police: Napa Couple Charged With Murder Admit Keeping 3-Year-Old's Body in Freezer

Bay City News contributed to this report