A newlywed marriage in Oregon ended in tragedy just weeks after it began, culminating in a fatal shooting that has now led to a lengthy prison sentence.

According to reporting highlighted by KOIN and other local outlets, Talon Gabriel Mitchell has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for the 2023 killing of his wife, Oulaykham Mona Chopheng. Mitchell, who was 19 at the time, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter with a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon.

The case began when police responded to a welfare check at the couple’s Beaverton apartment after a neighbor reported hearing a woman crying and screaming for help. When officers arrived, they found Chopheng dead on a couch, having suffered a gunshot wound to the face.

Mitchell was taken into custody at the scene. Authorities noted that he had blood on his shoes, and investigators soon began piecing together what had happened in the moments leading up to the shooting.

One of the most unusual aspects of the case involved messages Mitchell sent to emergency services shortly after the incident. According to reports, he texted 911 claiming he was “stuck in a dream” and described feeling as though he was being controlled. Other messages reportedly included pleas for help and references to confusion about reality.

During the investigation, Mitchell told police he had taken LSD earlier that day and claimed he did not remember firing the weapon. He later described waking up to find his wife unresponsive and initially believing he was experiencing a nightmare.

Prosecutors moved forward with charges, and Mitchell ultimately accepted a plea agreement rather than going to trial. A judge ordered that he serve 20 years behind bars, with at least half of that sentence required before he is eligible for any reduction based on good behavior.

The case has drawn attention not only because of the short-lived marriage but also due to the unsettling details surrounding the incident, including the role of substance use and the defendant’s statements after the shooting.

For the victim’s family, the sentencing marks a step toward closure, though the loss remains profound. Authorities have not released additional details about the couple’s relationship prior to the incident.