Suvechha Sarkar
Sharon Laila Castro and Brooklynn Michelle Youngblood had a promising life ahead of them when it was tragically cut short in August 2018. Investigation revealed that the horrifying crime was committed by none other than their own mother, Veronica Youngblood. The case left not only the community of McLean, Virginia, rocked to their core but also left their father, Ronald Youngblood, AKA Ron, completely grief-stricken. Investigation Discovery’s ‘Evil Lives Here: She Called To Say I Killed Them’ delves deeper into the events leading up to the tragedy and how justice was served. It also features the emotional interview of Ron and how a strained custody battle changed everything.
Ron Youngblood Had Found His Family in Veronica Until Her Ultimate Betrayal
Ronald Youngblood, lovingly known as Ron, was working in the US Navy when he crossed paths with Veronica and her daughter from a previous relationship, Sharon Laila Castro, in Argentina in 2007. He and Veronica quickly grew closer, and around two years later, in 2009, they tied the knot. During that time, Ron also bonded with Sharon, and he soon became like her own father. Soon after, on November 11, 2012, he and Veronica welcomed their daughter, Brooklynn Michelle, into this world. They had settled in Virginia, and everything was going perfectly when his wife’s behavior changed, leading up to the weeks of his deployment to Qatar in early 2014. When he reached the location, he was horrified to discover through his family’s internet plan that Veronica was sharing intimate texts with someone else.
When Ron confronted Veronica, she stated that she wanted a divorce. Over the next five and a half months, she tried to rectify the situation by apologizing and saying she didn’t want a divorce. Meanwhile, Ron returned and got an opportunity to work as a Foreign Area Officer in Honduras. However, two months after the family’s move there, problems began to arise again. When Ron and Veronica decided to part ways, she accused him of mental and physical assault, leading to their “emergency removal” by police and embassy intervention. She also alleged before his commanding officer that he was not providing for her and her family. However, all of these accusations were investigated and determined to be false. Veronica was living at her sister’s house with Brooklyn and Sharon when she claimed she was thrown out. Hence, she once again moved in with Ron, along with their daughters.
Ron and Veronica officially divorced in October 2016, which led to an ugly custody battle. The judge ordered that both of them share joint custody of Brooklynn. However, Ron was asked to provide the same support to Veronica that he did during their marriage. They both agreed to move to Missouri to be close to the former’s parents in early July 2018. Everything changed on August 5, 2018, when Veronica took Brooklynn and Sharon away to her home. She reportedly gave them sleeping pill gummies before brutally shooting them. While Brooklynn was declared deceased as soon as the officials arrived, Sharon had survived to call 911 and seek help. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries and passed away on August 11, 2018, in the hospital. Veronica was arrested on August 5 and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of firearm felony.
Ron Youngblood Has Rebuilt His Life Professionally and With a Renewed Sense of Love
Ronald Youngblood, AKA Ron, had been completely grief-stricken with memories of Sharon and Brooklynn. Although justice has been served with Veronica’s 78-year sentencing, it will never erase the fact that he lost his daughters. He still holds the bracelet Sharon made for him close to his heart. Ron had also contacted a fingerprint jewelry company to preserve Brooklyn’s fingerprints in a ring that he still wears. Expressing his grief, Ron admitted, “I really believed that I could protect my girl, and I would have given my life to do that.” He even built a memorial in Missouri to honor Sharon and Brooklyn’s memories. Speaking about the same, Ron added, “It’s a symbol that I felt that I needed to do.” With their memories still close to his heart, he has decided to push through.
Ron Youngblood began his professional journey in November 1991 when he enlisted in the US Navy as an Aviation Electronics Technician. With his dedication and unwavering commitment, he eventually rose through the ranks to become an Air Traffic Controller and then an Aircraft Commander Pilot from November 2003 to December 2006. Ron then took his experience overseas, becoming an Instructor Pilot for the Navy in Argentina from 2007 to 2011. After four years of service there, in August 2012, he transitioned to a TACRON Staff position within the Navy, remaining there until August 2014.
By June 2015, Ron had taken on the role of Country Program Director in the Navy International Programs Office. He worked there until November 2018 before stepping into the Assistant Country Program Director position at Tech-Marine Business, Inc. (TMB), where he continues to serve. In March 2023, Ron also began working part-time as an Assistant Country Program Director at SERCO. In his personal life, Ron has found love once again and is now happily married to his soulmate, Vivian Chong. Despite moving forward, the pain of losing his daughters remains a permanent scar in his heart. In a tribute that speaks volumes, Ron wrote, “Brooklynn and Sharon I love you and miss you both soo much.”
Veronica Youngblood is Incarcerated as an Out-of-State Transfer Under the Interstate Compact
The jury trial of Veronica Youngblood began in March 2023. The prosecution presented before the court how Veronica had purchased a handgun on July 27, 2018, and how she had sedated her daughters with sleeping pill gummies. They reportedly pointed out how it indicated premeditation. The prosecutors also argued that the defendant acted out of revenge towards Ron, who was preparing to move with Brooklynn to Missouri as part of their custody agreement. On the other hand, Veronica initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Her defense claimed that Veronica was in mental distress, which was allegedly triggered by prolonged abuse and emotional trauma.
The defense not only recounted Veronica’s history of childhood trauma in Argentina, which included physical and sexual abuse, but also noted that she had turned to sex work as a teenager to support Sharon. They also claimed that she was under emotional stress due to abuse by Ron. During the trial, Veronica testified in Spanish, “I’ve been a good mother, but something happened… Something exploded in my mind.” The defense had reportedly asked the jury to impose a lesser concurrent sentence of 42 years and pleaded for mercy over vengeance. They argued about Veronica’s alleged emotional instability and difficult life story.
Ultimately, on March 27, 2023, the jury found Veronica guilty of two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of firearm felony. The jury suggested 78 years in prison. It was a combination of 36 years for each murder charge and three years each for the two firearm charges to be served consecutively. On September 22, 2023, the judge upheld the jury’s recommendation, marking it as the official sentence. Although Veronica was tried in Virginia, according to official prison records, she is currently being held out of state under the Interstate Corrections Compact and serving her 78-year sentence. Her projected release date is not before January 4, 2096.
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