Finding Forgiveness: Bartlesville Family Remembers Young Father Murdered During Robbery

A Bartlesville family is one step closer to getting justice in the murder of a young father, now that two men have been convicted of the crime.

Ryan Brown was shot and killed during a robbery in 2020. Ryan's family said they have leaned on each other every step of the way.

Ryan's sister said she'll never understand why he was murdered inside their childhood home. It's the same home their grandfather built; the one their mother was raised in.

Ryan's family said the three men involved have shown no remorse.

“He deserves to be here and what happened shouldn’t have happened," said Taylor Benbrook, Ryan's girlfriend.

There's no easy way to tell a child that dad isn't coming home. But that's exactly what Taylor had to do with her daughters, Paisley and Ellie.

“I know that he’s watching over her every day. She talks about him all the time," said Taylor.

Prosecutors said Deante Williams and Trevon Lewis robbed, shot and killed Ryan in the Bartlesville area of Osage County in September 2020.

Ryan was just 25, but had struggled with addiction.

“I wish he’d just given them whatever they were there for, but you know you can’t turn back time," said Stephanie Brown, Ryan's sister.

“He was more than just a drug addict, you know, he was fighting the disease of addiction and as I was, as well," said Angela Brown, Ryan's mom. “We’re not defined by it and we can rise above it."

Ryan's sister said he was loving, generous, a friend to everyone, and she even named her son after him.

Taylor said Ryan's memory will live on.

“We have so many good memories that I can look back on. So many memories of us being goofy. I have so many videos of us together: I’ve posted them so many times, since he passed away. I’ve messaged him even though I know that he’s not going to answer me," said Taylor.

She said the trials were torture.

“It’s been so long and so hard and we’ve had to deal with so much. We’ve been attacked and ridiculed," said Taylor.

But she's giving it to God.

“I have the comfort of knowing I’ll never have to see them again,” said Taylor.

“My job is to find forgiveness for him and hope that he finds redemption," said Angela.

Trevon Lewis was found guilty last fall and was sentenced to life in prison.

Deante Williams went on trial May 1, was found guilty of murder and robbery, and is set to be sentenced June 8.

Eric Bartley is charged with one count of accessory to the robbery.