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News Release

Salem Man Sentenced To Life For Murder In The Second Degree - 01/14/26

State of Oregon v. Tyler Holman

Salem Man sentenced to Life for

Murder in the Second Degree

 

Marion County: 25CR06138

 

Salem, OR – January 14, 2026 - Today, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Channing Bennett sentenced Tyler Holman (age 40) to life in the Oregon Department of Corrections with a 25-year minimum before parole eligibility. On January 5, 2025, Holman had pled guilty to Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm before Marion County Circuit Cout Judge Jodie Bureta pursuant to a settlement negotiation with the state.

 

In the early morning hours of January 27, 2025, Holman was involved in a single vehicle crash in Polk County. Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the scene, and during their contact with Holman, they concluded that he was intoxicated. Holman was transported to the hospital for medical treatment. A tow truck responded to the scene to remove the defendant’s overturned vehicle, and the driver of the tow truck discovered a body wrapped in plastic which had been flung from the defendant’s vehicle during the crash.

 

An investigation by the Oregon State Medical Examiner later identified the body as the defendant’s ex-wife, Ashley Gandalfi (34), who is also the mother of Holman’s child. The Medical Examiner determined that the cause of her death was a gunshot wound to the head and not the traffic crash.

 

The Salem Police Department conducted the investigation, and after securing a search warrant to search the defendant’s home they found plastic wrap, bloody paper towels, and the pistol used by the defendant. Surveillance camera security footage revealed the victim entering the defendant’s house, and early the next morning being carried out, wrapped in plastic, by the defendant and his friend.

 

Holman’s friend was Logan Lowery Wilkens.  Based on his assistance, he was charged with one count of Abuse of a Corpse in the Second Degree and one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence.  Wilkens pled guilty to both counts on March 3, 2025, and his sentencing is scheduled on January 22, 2026, also before Judge Bennett.  (Marion County Circuit Court Case 25CR07441).

 

Both cases were prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy who said, “thanks to a thorough investigation by the Salem Police Department, we were able to hold a violent offender accountable for an atrocious crime in this community.”  The Marion County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank all the investigators in this case, specifically Detective Mike Vega, for their excellent investigation in this matter.

 

Holman and the victim had a mutual daughter, who is currently 8-years-old.  She is currently living with family. Through a statement read by an adult friend, their daughter made a victim impact statement at sentencing.

 

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office would also like to thank Liberty House for their assistance at many stages during this investigation.  Law enforcement and the victim’s family needed guidance on how to appropriately notify the victim’s daughter of the death, which was provided by Liberty House; Liberty House conducted a forensic interview with the child and offered significant on-going support; finally, Liberty House assisted the District Attorney’s Office in preparing the child for the emotional and complex court process, a trauma the child will no longer have to experience with today’s sentencing.  “I am very appreciative of Liberty House for its collaboration in difficult cases such as these” Murphy said.  “With Liberty House’s on-going support, I have enough experience to know that this little girl has the tools she needs to get past this horrible, avoidable tragedy. I hope the victim’s family finds the peace they deserve.”  

 

About Marion County District Attorney’s Office

The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for seeking justice through promoting accountability for criminal offenders; interpreting, enforcing, and executing law; responding to the concerns of victims and the public; and working cooperatively with members of the justice system.

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Salem Man Sentenced To Life For Murder In The Second Degree - 01/14/26

State of Oregon v. Tyler Holman

Salem Man sentenced to Life for

Murder in the Second Degree

 

Marion County: 25CR06138

 

Salem, OR – January 14, 2026 - Today, Marion County Circuit Court Judge Channing Bennett sentenced Tyler Holman (age 40) to life in the Oregon Department of Corrections with a 25-year minimum before parole eligibility. On January 5, 2025, Holman had pled guilty to Murder in the Second Degree with a Firearm before Marion County Circuit Cout Judge Jodie Bureta pursuant to a settlement negotiation with the state.

 

In the early morning hours of January 27, 2025, Holman was involved in a single vehicle crash in Polk County. Polk County Sheriff’s Deputies responded to the scene, and during their contact with Holman, they concluded that he was intoxicated. Holman was transported to the hospital for medical treatment. A tow truck responded to the scene to remove the defendant’s overturned vehicle, and the driver of the tow truck discovered a body wrapped in plastic which had been flung from the defendant’s vehicle during the crash.

 

An investigation by the Oregon State Medical Examiner later identified the body as the defendant’s ex-wife, Ashley Gandalfi (34), who is also the mother of Holman’s child. The Medical Examiner determined that the cause of her death was a gunshot wound to the head and not the traffic crash.

 

The Salem Police Department conducted the investigation, and after securing a search warrant to search the defendant’s home they found plastic wrap, bloody paper towels, and the pistol used by the defendant. Surveillance camera security footage revealed the victim entering the defendant’s house, and early the next morning being carried out, wrapped in plastic, by the defendant and his friend.

 

Holman’s friend was Logan Lowery Wilkens.  Based on his assistance, he was charged with one count of Abuse of a Corpse in the Second Degree and one count of Tampering with Physical Evidence.  Wilkens pled guilty to both counts on March 3, 2025, and his sentencing is scheduled on January 22, 2026, also before Judge Bennett.  (Marion County Circuit Court Case 25CR07441).

 

Both cases were prosecuted by Chief Deputy District Attorney Brendan Murphy who said, “thanks to a thorough investigation by the Salem Police Department, we were able to hold a violent offender accountable for an atrocious crime in this community.”  The Marion County District Attorney’s Office would like to thank all the investigators in this case, specifically Detective Mike Vega, for their excellent investigation in this matter.

 

Holman and the victim had a mutual daughter, who is currently 8-years-old.  She is currently living with family. Through a statement read by an adult friend, their daughter made a victim impact statement at sentencing.

 

The Marion County District Attorney’s Office would also like to thank Liberty House for their assistance at many stages during this investigation.  Law enforcement and the victim’s family needed guidance on how to appropriately notify the victim’s daughter of the death, which was provided by Liberty House; Liberty House conducted a forensic interview with the child and offered significant on-going support; finally, Liberty House assisted the District Attorney’s Office in preparing the child for the emotional and complex court process, a trauma the child will no longer have to experience with today’s sentencing.  “I am very appreciative of Liberty House for its collaboration in difficult cases such as these” Murphy said.  “With Liberty House’s on-going support, I have enough experience to know that this little girl has the tools she needs to get past this horrible, avoidable tragedy. I hope the victim’s family finds the peace they deserve.”  

 

About Marion County District Attorney’s Office

The District Attorney’s Office is responsible for seeking justice through promoting accountability for criminal offenders; interpreting, enforcing, and executing law; responding to the concerns of victims and the public; and working cooperatively with members of the justice system.

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