RAMONA, CA – A Ramona man was sentenced Tuesday to 47 years to life in prison for the killing of his longtime friend, closing a high-profile murder case that shocked the tight-knit community.
Sean Joseph Hawksworth, 26, received the sentence from San Diego Superior Court Judge Patricia Cookson after a jury found him guilty in May of murder, residential burglary, grand theft, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. Prosecutors described the killing as calculated and unprovoked, stating Hawksworth executed his friend, 26-year-old Eduardo Aguilar Alba, while he slept in his own apartment before stealing valuables and attempting to dispose of the body.
The crime occurred on October 20, 2023, inside Alba’s residence in the 400 block of 16th Street. Authorities said Hawksworth shot Alba in the head as he slept, then placed his body in a trash can. Investigators later discovered Alba’s possessions—including a Camaro, clothing, and designer sneakers—had been taken and stored in a unit rented by Hawksworth under a different name.
According to court documents, Hawksworth returned to the apartment several times following the murder to remove evidence and property, all while maintaining an outward appearance of normalcy in his daily life. Officials said he continued his drug-dealing activities, showing little sign of remorse or concern over the killing.
The case rattled Alba’s family and friends, who described the victim as gentle, soft-spoken, and generous. Many expressed disbelief that the suspect, described as Alba’s best friend, would be responsible for such a brutal act. In the aftermath of the crime, Alba’s parents shared heartfelt memories of their son, recalling his kindness and the close friendship that once existed between the two men.
During sentencing, Judge Cookson rebuked Hawksworth, characterizing the murder and subsequent thefts as exhibiting “a high degree of callousness.” The judge pointed to Hawksworth’s actions after the killing as evidence that the crime had been planned and executed without regard for human life.
The court also heard from Hawksworth himself, who apologized to the Aguilar Alba family, expressing sorrow for their loss. Addressing the court, he acknowledged the bond he once shared with Alba and said he never anticipated such a tragedy when their friendship began.
Authorities said the evidence was clear. Detectives found property taken from Alba’s apartment in a storage unit Hawksworth transferred into his brother’s name, and surveillance footage and phone records strengthened the case against him.
Prosecutors argued that the murder was premeditated, and the subsequent attempts to cover it up demonstrated the defendant’s intent to escape accountability. They highlighted how Hawksworth’s lack of remorse and calculated behavior underscored the severity of the crime.
Following the sentencing, officials said they hope the outcome provides some measure of closure for Alba’s family, even as they continue to mourn his loss.
Hawksworth will be eligible for parole after serving his minimum sentence, but with the length imposed by the court, he may spend the rest of his life behind bars.