Man Sentenced to Life, 72 Years Suspended in Elder Mother's Murder

A Prince George's County judge imposed a life sentence with all but 72 years suspended on December 12, 2025 for Reginald English after his earlier conviction in 2025 for the killing of his 72 year old mother, Lorena Royster. Prosecutors said Royster was found in her Bladensburg home stabbed 47 times, and that the attack followed an argument over use and title of the family Toyota Camry. At sentencing English did not address the court.

The brutality of the attack and the court's decision to impose a lengthy custodial term were central to the proceeding. The 72 year figure left active was intentionally chosen to correspond to Royster's age when she was killed, a detail the judge cited as reflecting the severity of the offense and the loss to family and community. Family members and survivors spoke in court about the lasting emotional and practical impact of the crime on relatives and neighbors.

The case touches on broader local concerns about elder safety, intra family property disputes, and the capacity of criminal justice and social services systems to prevent escalation. Violent incidents within families raise questions for county officials about outreach to older adults, mediation resources for property and caregiving conflicts, and the accessibility of victim services after violent crime. The sentence resolves the criminal case in court, but it does not address those prevention and support needs that residents and service providers say remain pressing.

For Bladensburg and Prince George's County the outcome may bring a measure of accountability while also renewing calls for policies that reduce risk for vulnerable adults. Local leaders and agencies will face pressure to examine whether existing programs for elder protection, dispute resolution, and mental health intervention are sufficient to prevent similar tragedies. The court's ruling closes the legal chapter of this homicide, but it amplifies longstanding community priorities around safety, support, and prevention.