COLORADO SPRINGS, CO – An 80-year-old Colorado man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after a jury convicted him of murdering his wife in a brutal attack that shocked the Colorado Springs community.
Stephen Chan was found guilty Friday of first-degree murder, along with charges of kidnapping and assault by strangulation. The verdict came nearly a year after Chan called authorities to admit he had killed his wife, 54-year-old Jian Chan, and abandoned her body near a small pond.
The incident began on the morning of Sept. 1, 2024, when a man contacted emergency services, confessing that he had killed his wife and was ready to turn himself in. Hours later, Stephen Chan arrived at a local police station and provided a detailed confession to investigators. Jian Chan’s remains were discovered by a neighbor not far from the couple’s home.
According to investigative documents, Chan revealed a motive rooted in longstanding marital disputes. He accused his wife of stealing produce from his garden, taking his cookware, and having extramarital relationships—allegations he said had built up over nearly two decades of suspicion and distrust. He told police that the couple’s marriage had grown increasingly strained, culminating in two years of near silence between them prior to her death.
Investigators learned that Chan waited until his wife was asleep before ambushing her, binding her with a bathrobe belt, and gagging her. He then forced her into his vehicle before retrieving a firearm from a secure location inside the home. Chan told authorities he drove Jian to a secluded area by a pond, where he shot her twice in the chest while she remained bound and gagged.
Following the murder, Chan abandoned his wife’s body and returned home. Several hours later, prompted by what investigators described as a deliberate plan, he called 911 and provided his whereabouts, ultimately turning himself in to the police.
During the investigation, Chan waived his right to legal counsel and cooperated with detectives, recounting details of the killing and the tensions that led up to it. According to court records, he claimed he confronted Jian about her supposed affair and the alleged thefts on the day of the slaying. When she reportedly stopped denying the accusations, Chan told her she “would have to pay a great price.”
A defense effort to secure a plea agreement for a reduced manslaughter charge was unsuccessful. The case proceeded to trial, where the jury found sufficient evidence to convict Chan on all major counts, including first-degree murder.
On Monday, a judge handed down a mandatory life sentence for the murder conviction, adding 32 years for assault by strangulation and six years for kidnapping. The sentences will run consecutively, ensuring that Chan will remain incarcerated for the remainder of his life.
Court officials stated there would be no possibility of parole under the terms of the sentence. The case has drawn attention for its premeditation and the fact that Chan himself initiated the investigation by coming forward.
Authorities said there were no previous reports of domestic violence involving the couple prior to the homicide. Neighbors described the pair as quiet, with little indication of the turmoil that would lead to such a violent outcome.
The sentencing closes a chapter on a case marked by extreme violence and a startling confession, leaving the local community grappling with the tragedy.