COQUILLE, Ore. — An Oregon woman has been sentenced to life in prison for the murder of her ex-husband, a case that unfolded amid a bitter custody battle that lasted for years. Reina Gabriela Jackson, 36, received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 25 years during a court hearing on May 1.
The decision followed a three-week trial in Coos County, where a jury found Jackson guilty of second-degree murder on April 24. Prosecutors argued that the violence stemmed from a prolonged divorcing process marked by escalating tensions, culminating in a premeditated attack involving Jackson and two accomplices. The victim, Dr. Craig Jackson, a Navy veteran and respected physician, had been awarded full custody of the couple’s young daughter, Isabella, prior to his death.
The fatal incident occurred on August 2, 2021, when Craig Jackson was shot in his North Bend home. At the time, he was living with his new wife. Authorities reported that Reina Jackson and two unidentified men invaded the home, leading to a physical confrontation. While his wife hid under a bed, Craig Jackson was shot. He was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after police arrived.
Coos County Sheriff’s deputies discovered Craig Jackson’s body with multiple gunshot wounds. Initial attempts to speak with his wife were complicated by a language barrier, prompting her to enlist the help of a friend to communicate the details. Surveillance footage taken near the residence depicted three masked individuals, further complicating the investigation as law enforcement sought to identify the suspects.
Evidence presented in court placed Reina Jackson at the center of the alleged plot. Investigators found suspicious circumstances upon arriving at her home post-incident, including an unusually high temperature that prompted officers to open the windows for ventilation. A map of Craig Jackson’s house was located in Reina’s vehicle, despite her claims of having never been there. Moreover, a suspicious check for $40,000 bearing a forgery of Craig Jackson’s signature was discovered, leading authorities to suspect foul play.
The history between the couple reveals a tumultuous relationship. Reina Jackson, originally named Reina Gabriela Matute-Ruano, met Craig Jackson in Guatemala while he was undergoing medical training. They married in 2008 and welcomed Isabella in 2013 before relocating to Oregon. The couple’s divorce was finalized in 2016, but disputes over custody persisted, with Craig Jackson ultimately securing full custody. Tensions reportedly intensified as he moved on with his life and remarried in 2020.
Notably, Reina Jackson’s behavior raised red flags prior to the shooting; in 2018, she was accused of breaking a window at Craig’s home after witnessing him with another woman. Prosecutors asserted that Reina’s resentment over her ex-husband’s new relationship, alongside financial stressors and the end of his spousal support payments, could have fueled her anger leading to the attack.
After the murder, Reina fled the United States with Isabella, traveling back to Guatemala, where she withdrew her daughter from school. A grand jury indicted her for murder and conspiracy in May 2023. U.S. Marshals apprehended her in Atlanta after she returned from Guatemala, and she was later extradited to Oregon.
During the trial, defense attorneys attempted to redirect suspicion toward Craig’s new wife, questioning her potential involvement. However, prosecutors maintained a focus on Reina’s motives, emphasizing evidence of her financial distress and ongoing disputes. Following the jury’s verdict, the judge imposed a life sentence, signaling the severity of Reina Jackson’s actions.
Reina remains in custody, facing a lengthy prison term before any possibility for parole. Meanwhile, the identities of her accomplices remain undisclosed, leaving a critical piece of the investigation unresolved. The murder has also resulted in emotional strain for Craig Jackson’s family, significantly impacting Isabella’s relationship with her late father’s relatives since her relocation to Guatemala.