Shawn Kavanagh, who brutally stabbed three people to death and seriously injured a fourth in a 2014 Valentine’s Day massacre, will now spend the rest of his life in prison.

St. Charles County judge Rebecca Navarro-McKelvey announced her decision Tuesday, April 11, choosing the life sentence over the death penalty. She sentenced Kavanagh to four consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole.

Kavanagh was found guilty March 23 for the murders of Tara Lynn Fifer, 22; Lexy Vandiver, 29; and Lexy’s son, 7-year-old Mason Vandiver, in February 2014. Kavanagh was also convicted for the severe wounding of Jessica Powell, Kavanagh’s estranged wife, who was at Lexy’s home with the other three victims when Kavanagh attacked them. The guilty verdict was issued by Navarro-McKelvey following three days of testimony and arguments.

Since the trial phase of the case, Navarro-McKelvey had deliberated on what punishment Kavanagh should receive. With a courtroom split between family and friends for Kavanagh and the murder victims, the judge stated she believed the fatal stabbings were premeditated but also believed Kavanagh’s rage had been caused by a psychotic  disorder that his attorneys argued Kavanagh suffered from during the trial.

“If you are truly a religious person, you will atone for the evil you have done,” Navarro-McKelvey told Kavanagh.

The judge’s decision left family and friends of the victims heartbroken as they shared tears outside the courtroom.

“He doesn’t deserve to live,” said Heather Vandiver, sister-in-law of Lexy Vandiver. “He stabbed a little boy. He deserves to die.”

Warren County Prosecuting Attorney Kelly King was disappointed with the punishment.

“As (Navarro-McKelvey) stated in the hearing, if any case deserves the death penalty, this is the case,” King said. “Justice has been too long coming for these victims and their families. I can only hope the families can now put this part of these horrific crimes behind them and move forward with their lives.

“I sincerely appreciate the work of our first responders, the assistance of the Attorney General’s Office, and the cooperation and patience of the victims’ families. Without their efforts, we could not have prosecuted this case.”

King added, “As disappointing as the verdict is, Mr. Kavanagh will spend the rest of his life in prison.”

Kavanagh spoke during Tuesday’s hearing, saying there was no one else to blame but him and admitting the murders were a “horrific act.”

“I’ve done so much damage and all I can say is, “I’m sorry,’ ” Kavanagh said.

Tuesday’s sentencing concluded a lengthy case that has been mired in delays for nine years for a variety of reasons, including the COVID-19 pandemic, attorney turnover, medical conditions and other circumstances. The case was heard in St. Charles County after Kavaangh requested a change of venue and waived his right to a jury trial.

On the night of the killings, Kavanagh reportedly arrived at Lexy’s home at 7:45 p.m. seeking Powell. The two were separated at the time. When Kavanagh was told to leave, he retrieved a knife from his vehicle and began attacking the people in the home.

At 7:51 p.m., Kavanagh called 911 and reported that he had just stabbed and killed several people, according to the Warren County Sheriff’s Department. Deputies arrived to find Kavanagh covered in blood. He admitted to killing the people inside the home.

Lexy Vandiver and Tara Fifer were found dead inside the home. Powell was found with multiple stab wounds, and was airlifted to a hospital for lifesaving surgery.

Mason Vandiver, a first-grader, was rushed to a hospital in St. Louis for treatment of multiple severe wounds, but died that night.

The only victim unharmed in the attack was Lexy Vandiver’s 18-month-old daughter Jeanette.

During one of four victim impact statements read at Tuesday’s hearing, Heather Vandiver showed the judge a picture of Jeanette who is now 10.

She also showed a photo of Mason’s wounds. It was noted Mason had numerous cuts on his arms from trying to protect his mom.

“He did nothing to deserve what was inflicted upon him,” Heather Vandiver said. “The pain doesn’t stop today. I’ll be (Jeanette’s) mom on earth, but she’ll always miss something from her mom in heaven.”