In a heart-wrenching case that has left a Washington family shattered, the memories of 18-year-old Sarah Clark remain preserved only in photographs and cherished stories. Steve and Teesha Clark, Sarah’s parents, keep these memories alive by swapping out the seasonal photos of their daughter, capturing every holiday and special occasion that they shared with her before her tragic death in 2008. But now, over 15 years later, this grieving family faces a painful twist in their quest for justice.

The case is horrific in its details. In February 2008, Sarah and her friend, 20-year-old Tanner Pehl, were brutally murdered in Tanner’s mother’s home. Their killer, 20-year-old Justin Crenshaw, not only stabbed both victims to death but then set the house on fire in an attempt to cover up his heinous crime. While Crenshaw was quickly identified as the killer due to forensic evidence, including a fingerprint at the scene, the pain from that day continues to haunt both families.

Crenshaw was a new acquaintance of Sarah and Tanner, a recent arrival to Spokane who had found and connected with his ‘long-lost sister’ via MySpace, another of Sarah’s friends. Unknown to Sarah’s parents, Crenshaw already had a violent criminal past from out of state. Despite the warning signs, Sarah, ever the kind-hearted soul, welcomed Crenshaw with open arms. This act of kindness, her family believes, is what ultimately led her into the path of a ruthless killer.

“He was new in town. He seemed a little off, but Sarah, she loved everyone,” recalled Steve Clark. “She just had this big heart.”

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What no one could have predicted was the evil that Crenshaw harbored. On the night of the murders, Tanner and Crenshaw had gotten off work and decided to hang out with Sarah. That decision turned deadly. A passerby reported smoke coming from the Pehl home in the early hours of February 28, 2008. When firefighters arrived, they were met not only with flames but the grisly discovery of two lifeless bodies, mutilated beyond comprehension. Sarah had been stabbed over 30 times, while Tanner, too, suffered multiple stab wounds, including ten more inflicted after he was already dead.

Crenshaw was arrested, convicted, and sentenced, bringing some relief to the families who had been through an agonizing two-year trial. The jury convicted him in just hours, and his behavior throughout the trial only confirmed what they already knew—that Crenshaw was a remorseless psychopath. Steve Clark recalled how Crenshaw would taunt the families in court, even winking and making kissy faces at Tanner’s sister.

For the Clarks and the Pehls, the conviction should have been the final chapter of this nightmare. But in a cruel twist of fate, the Washington State Supreme Court issued a 2021 ruling, State vs. Monschke, which opened the door to potential resentencing for offenders who were 20 years old or younger when they committed their crimes. The rationale behind the ruling rests on the argument that brain development continues until the age of 20, and therefore, these offenders should have their sentences reconsidered.

Last week, Steve and Teesha received the devastating news—Justin Crenshaw was now eligible for resentencing due to the Monschke ruling. This legal technicality has re-opened old wounds for the families, who believed the justice system had finally provided them with closure. Now, they face the possibility of being forced to relive the trauma in court yet again.

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“We shouldn’t have to be doing this,” Teesha said. “He was 20 years old. He was an adult. Sarah never got to be 20.”

The Clarks and Pehls are understandably outraged. For them, this isn’t just a legal process—it’s re-victimization. Sarah was the fourth of the Clarks’ six children, and her absence is felt every day. “There are eight nephews and nieces she’d have now,” Teesha shared. “She would have loved that. Being the auntie.”

Her father, Steve, still believes that Sarah would have grown into a successful hair stylist, making people feel good about themselves, as she always did. “She was just exuberant. She loved everybody,” he said.

Now, the families fear that Crenshaw could receive a reduced sentence or be released earlier than his original punishment intended. The brutality of the murders, coupled with Crenshaw’s continued violent behavior behind bars, leads them to hope that the court will see through this legal loophole and keep him locked away for good. But they can’t help but feel betrayed by a system that seems to prioritize criminals over victims.

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“The system is broken,” Steve Clark said. “It’s re-victimization for us. My hope is people will wake up to what’s happening in our system.”

Crenshaw is currently serving his time in Virginia, but it remains unclear whether he will be transported back to Washington for the upcoming hearings or if he will appear via Zoom. Regardless, the families intend to be present every step of the way, just as they were during the original trial. Both families recall the overwhelming support they received from friends, family, and the community during that first sentencing, and they hope for the same during this new ordeal.

The Pehl family, too, is grappling with this renewed legal battle. Tanner’s sister, Katie, called the resentencing decision “devastating.” Her family has already endured so much, including fighting to retrieve a beloved family guitar from law enforcement, a sentimental item Tanner cherished. After a long legal process, the guitar was finally returned to the family last year.

As the Clarks and Pehls prepare for this new chapter in their fight for justice, one thing remains clear: the loss of Sarah and Tanner will never be forgotten. These families, and the community around them, are determined to ensure that their killers face the full weight of the justice system, no matter how long it takes.