’I was lucky to have her as a mom’: Son shares memories of SLO County stabbing victim
Brent Buchanan struggled through tears Wednesday describing just how much Kelly Buchanan — the woman stabbed to death in Shandon on Sunday — meant to him and his family.
Technically, Kelly was Brent’s stepmother, but over his life, she played such a significant role that he came to see her simply as his mom, he told The Tribune in an interview.
The shock of losing her — along with seeing his younger brother accused of the crime — has been especially painful given the effort she made to help Justin Buchanan over the years, he said.
“Kelly came into our lives when we were very young,” Brent said. “She filled the shoes of a mom for us. She was an amazing person, and she did everything she could to help my brother and I.”
Kelly Buchanan was stabbed to death shortly after 9 p.m. Sunday night at the home she shared with her husband in a quiet Shandon neighborhood.
Justin Buchanan, the Buchanans’ 31-year-old son who was also living there at the time, was arrested on suspicion of homicide early Monday in connection with the stabbing, according to the San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office.
Billy Buchanan, Justin and Brent Buchanan’s father, was seriously injured in the stabbing and is currently recovering in the hospital in stable condition, Brent said.
On Thursday, Justin Buchanan was charged with murder, attempted murder and assault. All three felony charges have added sentencing enhancements for the use of a deadly weapon, in this case a knife.
Couple met working at business in Paso Robles
Brent Buchanan said his parents met while working at a specialty silicone business in Paso Robles and had been together for a little over 20 years.
The couple raised Justin and Brent in Paso Robles for a few years before later moving to Shandon, where they lived in a yellow house on South Second Street.
Brent described his mom as a quiet person.
“She was a really strong woman,” he said.
“She was very quiet. But once you got to know her, she would open up to you,” Brent said. “I was lucky to have her as a mom.”
Kelly Buchanan tried to help son with mental health struggles
Throughout their lives, Brent Buchanan said, he’s always been extremely close with his brother, trying to help him overcome challenges that could include outbursts of violence, according to those who know him.
“Since he was a kid, there’s been issues,” Brent said of Justin. “He’s been picked on a lot, and he was bullied. He had a lot of troubles trying to fit in.”
According to court records, Justin struggled with mental health issues for years and had previously been arrested twice on suspicion of domestic violence.
Brent said that Kelly was an advocate for Justin and did everything she could to help him with those struggles.
“She didn’t give up on Justin,” Brent said. “She wanted to help him. She wanted to love him. She wanted to be there for him and was trying everything she could.”
Kelly Buchanan also was highly involved in her kids’ lives and her grandchildren’s lives, Brent said.
“Kelly was always coming over,” he said. “She would just randomly pop in and check in on me even when I lived 45 minutes away.”
His 10-year-old daughter was Kelly’s first grandchild, he said.
“Kelly was always babysitting for me. And my daughter was always spending time with Kelly whenever she could,” he said.
Friends share their grief on Facebook
News of Kelly’s death spurred an outpouring of grief from her friends, who shared their thoughts on the sheriff’s Facebook post about Justin’s arrest.
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Josh Johnson wrote in response to a post by Brent. “Your mom was a special person indeed. I know nothing I say will change things, but may Kelly rest in peace and may Billy come back stronger than ever.”
Another friend said that Kelly felt like part of her own family.
“I just wanna cry,” Clarissa St. Martin wrote. “This is so horrendous and it’s affecting me more than I thought it would. ... I can’t stop thinking about Kelly and her kind spirit. She was amazing.”
St. Martin said she’d known Kelly for 16 years.
“My heart hurts right now and I’m sick to my stomach,” she added.
April Rowland added: “I knew your parents I worked at Ralph’s pharmacy few years back. I am sooo sooooo sorry. Praying from Georgia for your dad’s recovery and your family.”
Kelly Buchanan’s family raises money for funeral costs
Sandra Jackson, Kelly Buchanan’s sister, recently posted an online fundraiser to help with the costs of a funeral for Kelly Buchanan.
“On Sunday, July 16, my sister and her husband experienced an act of unforgivable violence that ended up taking her life,” Jackson said.
“Our hearts are broken and our families are shattered by this tragedy.”
The fundraiser has currently reached over $7,600 in donations toward a $10,000 goal.
“If you can donate anything at all it is greatly appreciated,” Jackson said in the post.
Brent Buchanan said that he decided to speak out because he wanted to shed light on the situation and for his mom to be honored.
“I’ve seen a lot of bad things and bad people, and Kelly, she was just the most genuine, kind and sweet soul,” Brent said.
“It’s hard for me to put it all into words.”
This story was originally published July 20, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
