A man who stabbed his mother to death before setting fire to their Castle Rock home in 2022 will spend 48 years behind bars.

Matthew Buchanan was sentenced Wednesday morning in Douglas County District Court. In May, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and attempted aggravated cruelty to animals. Other charges were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

He was sentenced to 24 years each for the attempted murder charge and the second-degree murder charge. Those two sentences will be served consecutively for a total of 48 years in the Department of Corrections. He received an 18-month sentence for the other charge, which will be served concurrently.

Buchanan’s mother Elizabeth Bjorlow, 59, was found dead at the home on Dove Valley Place in Castle Rock on April 26, 2022.

According to an arrest affidavit, Buchanan fatally stabbed his mother, set a fire in their home and then left. His uncle, who is paraplegic, was inside the home with no way to escape, the affidavit said. He was rescued by first responders.

Buchanan also left dogs inside the home when he set the fire, prosecutors said.

He was arrested in Florida about a week later.

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