Being Rejected by a Woman Sparked His Rage — So He Chose a Random Couple and Killed Them in Front of Their Young Kids

A Maine man has been ordered to spend the rest of his life in prison after fatally shooting a couple in front of their two young children, allegedly in a violent outburst after being rejected by a woman.

Last Thursday, 26-year-old Marcel LaGrange was sentenced to two life terms for the murders of Brittney Cockrell and Michael Hayter, who were killed in June 2023 in downtown Westbrook, Maine. Their children, ages 7 and 11, watched the attack from a nearby parked car, according to reports from the Portland Press Herald, WGME and WMTW.

In addition to the life sentences, LaGrange received a 50-year sentence for attempting to shoot one of the couple’s children during the same incident, the outlets reported.

LaGrange pleaded guilty in September to six charges, including two counts of murder, attempted murder, making a threat with a dangerous weapon and reckless conduct with a dangerous weapon.

Cumberland County Superior Court Justice Deborah Cashman imposed the sentence after state prosecutor Jennifer Ackerman told the court that LaGrange had been romantically rejected by a woman and had “stated that multiple people would die because of what she was doing,” WGME reported.

“Mason and Mattie Hayter were present in the car when their father was executed in the front seat,” Ackerman said during the hearing, according to the outlet. “They saw their mother being chased by the defendant with a gun in his hand.”

During the sentencing hearing, several family members delivered emotional victim impact statements, including the children’s grandfather, aunt and older sister, WGME reported.

“He killed my parents,” the couple’s oldest daughter, Cadence Cockrell, told the judge, per the outlet. “And I hope he gets the two life sentences he deserves. No parole for taking my parents, for my siblings having to watch.”

The children’s grandfather, Jeff McKinney, also read a letter written by young Mason, describing the terrifying moments when bullets began hitting the family’s car. “I just made myself as low as possible,” Mason wrote. “It was just enough time so Mattie and I could duck.”

LaGrange’s attorney said his client was remorseful. WMTW reported that LaGrange told the court he “was not in my right mind that day” and said he had not been “getting the mental health that I needed.” He also admitted he had been abusing drugs and alcohol that day, as he apologized to the victims’ family.

Despite the apology, the family expressed relief at the outcome.

“We’ll never see our daughter or son-in-law again, so it’s bittersweet,” McKinney said as he addressed LaGrange. “Just when you think you need to smile and be happy, you remember that. But the judge came to the right decision, and that’s life in prison.”