WEST SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) – Long-time West Sacramento resident, 74-year-old Ronald J. Mehler, and the love of his life, Nellie, lived in his house on Beardsley Dr for over 50 years. Many of his neighbors knew him pretty well due to the fact that they, too, have been in their homes for decades. According to neighbors, Ron was gruff and straight forward, some say grumpy. He wasn’t known to put up with much from people that caused problems, but if he let you into his heart, it was a big one. Neighbors say that Ron was a veteran and a former West Sacramento firefighter (though neither one of these were able to be verified).

Life takes time and time takes a toll on our bodies. Over the years Ron developed Diabetes. He was nearly blind and was hard of hearing. His health was deteriorating. His wife Nellie also suffered from medical problems. Nellie had progressive dementia. Because of the dementia, and Ron’s poor health, Nellie’s sisters had Power of Attorney over Nellie and her care.

Nellie’s sisters had moved Nellie out of her house to better care for her and filed for divorce. On October 10^th, 2018, Nellie’s sisters and Nellie showed up to Ron’s to collect some of Nellie’s things. While Nellie stayed in the backyard, her sisters began to pack things and take them out of the house. Nellie’s sisters did not much like Ron.

While Ron sat in a chair, on the front lawn, unable to see what the women were taking out, Nellie’s sisters continually made comments to Ron that they were going to take everything Ron had… including his house. The badgering continued until Ron was so worried that he shot his sister-in-law, 53-year-old Jennifer Meyers, dead. His plan was suicide by cop, but a neighbor came over and was able to calm Ron down.

Ron agreed that “once the cops got there he would put the gun down”. WSPD arrived and took Ron and his neighbor into custody. They later released the neighbor. Ron was scheduled to go to trial on May 22, 2019, but before that time came Ron pled guilty to second degree murder. He was given a sentence of 21 years.

On August 20, 2021 Ron was scheduled to have a special health related parole hearing, but on August 12, 2021 the Yolo County District Attorney’s office notifying them that the hearing was cancelled. Ronald James Mehler had passed away. His death was not criminal, and was not COVID related.