SANTA ANA, Calif. – A daughter was sentenced today to 50 years to life in state prison for shooting and murdering her 96-year-old mother. Christine Marie Reynolds, 72, Rossmoor, was found guilty by a jury Nov. 19, 2015, of one felony count of first degree murder with a sentencing enhancement for the personal discharge of a firearm causing death.

At approximately 4:15 p.m. on Aug. 28, 2014, Reynolds used a firearm to murder her mother Gretchen DeStefano by shooting her in the head in their Rossmoor home.

Shortly after the shooting, another resident in the home contacted the Orange County Sheriff's Department, who investigated this case and arrested the defendant.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Keith Burke of the Homicide Unit prosecuted this case.

Orange County District Attorney / Case # 14WF3283 / December 18, 2015