Killer Get Life Sentences for 2022 Double Murder of Sisters

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Summary: John Tooson, 36, received two life sentences in Boyd Circuit Court, Catlettsburg, Ky., for the 2022 murders of sisters Selina Easter, 20, and Summer Algarakhuly, 18, in Ashland. The Ohio man pleaded guilty earlier this year and fled to Toledo after the June 17 killings. He must serve at least 25 years before parole eligibility. Officials say the resolution provides accountability for the families.

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ASHLAND, Ky. — A chapter closed this week in one of Boyd County's most heartbreaking cases. John Tooson, 36, of Ohio, will spend the rest of his life behind bars after a judge handed down two life sentences for the murders of two young sisters.

The sentencing in Boyd Circuit Court marks nearly four years since the June 17, 2022, killings that claimed the lives of Selina Easter, 20, and Summer Algarakhuly, 18. Both women were mothers, and their deaths left young children without their parents. Prosecutors noted Tooson terrorized the sisters inside an Ashland apartment before shooting them. A newborn baby related to one of the victims remained nearby but unharmed.

Tooson, originally from the Toledo area, fled the scene in Easter's vehicle. Authorities later tracked him to Ohio, where a standoff ended with him shooting himself. He survived, received medical care, and was extradited to Kentucky to face charges. In April 2026, he pleaded guilty to two counts of murder along with first-degree robbery, possession of a handgun by a convicted felon, wanton endangerment, and being a persistent felony offender.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman and Boyd County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rhonda Copley announced the outcome jointly. The concurrent life sentences mean Tooson must serve at least 25 years before any possibility of parole. The plea agreement brought the case to a resolution without a full trial, offering some finality for the victims' family after years of waiting.

Cases like this highlight the lasting impact of violent crime on families and small communities across Kentucky. Easter and Algarakhuly had their futures ahead of them — young mothers full of potential. Their loss ripples outward, touching relatives who must now raise the children without them. The judicial system, through diligent work by local prosecutors and law enforcement, held Tooson accountable.

Boyd Circuit Court in Catlettsburg handled the proceedings efficiently. While nothing can restore what was taken, the sentencing underscores that serious crimes in eastern Kentucky receive serious consequences. Families and officials alike hope this brings a measure of peace as they continue forward.

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Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Sources:

Kentucky Attorney General Announcement

Lexington Herald-Leader Coverage

Boyd County Court Information

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