Williston Couple Gets 25 Years in Murder Case
WILLISTON, N.D. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Tioga couple received 25-year prison terms Tuesday in a Williston murder case.
Tyler Roy Langved and Kaylie Jane Langved, both 31, were sentenced during a combined hearing.
The case involved the death of Clay Kyllonen, 30, on February 2, 2025.
Judge Chas Neff Jr. also imposed 15-year terms for related robbery charges.
Those sentences will run concurrently with the murder sentences.
The couple will receive credit for 498 days already served.
They will also face 10 years of supervised probation after prison.
Two Early-Morning Home Visits
Court records said the couple visited two homes in Williston during the early morning hours.
The first visit happened around 5 a.m.
Prosecutors said a man owed the couple $120 for three pills.
Tyler Langved forced his way inside and struck the man with a nightstick.
Kaylie Langved urged him to continue the assault, according to court records.
The couple stayed there for about 10 to 20 minutes.
They then went to another home to collect a separate $100 debt.
An affidavit said Kaylie Langved struck a woman and Kyllonen with a handgun.
Kyllonen was then shot twice in the chest.
He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Family Describes Lasting Pain
Six members of Kyllonen’s family addressed the court before sentencing.
His father, Mike Kyllonen, said the killing changed the family forever.
He asked for longer prison terms to protect the public.
Kyllonen’s mother, Pamela Fretheim, held a photo of her son while speaking.
She said losing him was the hardest experience of her life.
Siblings Clement Wells, Jesella Kyllonen, and Victoria Hunter also spoke.
They described Clay as a caring brother and a fun uncle.
They also asked the judge to impose the longest sentence allowed.
Judge Accepts Plea Agreement
Prosecutors said both defendants shared responsibility for the robberies and Kyllonen’s death.
Defense attorneys asked the judge to accept the negotiated plea agreement.
They cited addiction, personal history, cooperation, and efforts toward rehabilitation.
Neff said addiction did not excuse the couple’s actions.
He said bringing weapons to collect drug debts created a clear risk of deadly violence.
The judge accepted the agreement and imposed the agreed prison terms.
Public court resources are available through the North Dakota Courts website.
Corrections information is available from the North Dakota Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.
