Salem, OR – A Salem man has been sentenced to life in prison for the second-degree murder of his 6-month-old son, Ryker Casian, more than two years after the child’s death in April 2022. Edward Casian, 30, pleaded no contest to charges of second-degree murder in Marion County Circuit Court on Monday, acknowledging that he had recklessly subjected his son to a pattern of assault and torture before Ryker’s tragic death.
Casian’s sentencing follows an extensive investigation that initially began when officers responded to a medical emergency at his home on the morning of April 12, 2022. Paramedics found Ryker unresponsive, and despite their efforts to revive him, he was pronounced dead at the scene. The child’s cause of death was initially ruled as “sudden unexplained infant death” (SUID) by the medical examiner, a designation that can sometimes apply to cases where the cause of death is unclear. However, suspicious bruising found on Ryker’s body prompted further investigation by local law enforcement.
As the investigation unfolded, detectives re-interviewed Casian in May 2023. During this questioning, he reportedly admitted to multiple incidents of violence against his son, including smothering him. This admission led the medical examiner to revise the cause of death to asphyxia due to smothering, and the manner of death was subsequently changed to homicide.
The Marion County District Attorney’s Office described Casian’s actions as a “pattern and practice of assault and torture,” which ultimately led to Ryker’s death. According to officials, Casian had recklessly subjected his son to violent acts over an extended period, but it was only through the investigation and his own confession that the true nature of the crime was uncovered.
In his plea, Casian accepted that the state had sufficient evidence to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that his actions were criminal and led to the infant’s death. In exchange for his no-contest plea, prosecutors agreed to a sentence of life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
At the sentencing, Marion County Circuit Judge Judith S. Nash expressed her condolences for the loss of young Ryker, noting the “horrific nature” of the crime and the “irreparable harm” caused to the child’s family. Though Casian’s sentence includes the possibility of parole, the judge made it clear that such a decision would not be made lightly, considering the seriousness of the offense.
The case has brought renewed attention to the issue of child abuse and the importance of early intervention. Local child advocacy groups have emphasized the need for continued vigilance in identifying signs of abuse and providing support for families in distress.
Ryker’s death has left a lasting impact on the Salem community, where many mourn the loss of a child who was never given the chance to grow up.
