An Oregon woman, Reina Jackson, has been sentenced to life in prison for the 2021 murder of her ex-husband, Dr. Craig Jackson, following a conviction rooted in jealousy over his new life. On May 1, 2026, Jackson, 45, was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole for at least 21 years, marking the end of a case that involved a violent home invasion and a bitter custody dispute.
Murder of Dr. Craig Jackson
Jackson’s ex-husband, Dr. Craig Jackson, a Navy veteran and physician at Bay Clinic in Coos Bay, was killed in the early hours of August 2, 2021, during a home invasion at his North Bend residence. Prosecutors revealed that two men broke into the home that Jackson shared with his new wife. Following a physical altercation, Craig was fatally shot.
Craig, 45, had been working to rebuild his life after a contentious divorce with Reina, which had been finalized in 2016. Despite the divorce, the couple’s bitter custody battle continued for years, particularly after Craig was awarded full custody of their daughter, Isabella. The murder occurred against this backdrop of ongoing tension.
Attorney General Dan Rayfield described Craig as a dedicated professional and father, emphasizing the brutality and calculated nature of the crime. “What happened to him was brutal and calculated,” Rayfield said in a statement. “His family deserved justice, and the sentence reflects the gravity of what was done.”
Reina’s Motivation and Arrest
During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence suggesting that Reina had conspired with two other individuals to carry out the murder. The motive, according to prosecutors, stemmed from Reina’s anger and jealousy over her ex-husband’s new life with his new wife and daughter.
Before her arrest, Reina withdrew their daughter, Isabella, from school and fled to Guatemala. She remained a fugitive until June 2023, when she was apprehended in Atlanta, Georgia, after returning to the United States. Isabella has not had any contact with her family since Reina’s disappearance.
A Long Legal Battle
Reina was convicted of second-degree murder on April 24, 2026, following a three-week trial. In addition to the murder charge, Reina faced allegations of conspiring with others to commit the crime. The sentence handed down on May 1 marked the conclusion of a complex legal battle that had spanned years, involving both a contentious divorce and the tragic loss of Dr. Craig Jackson.
A Father Remembered
Friends and family remembered Craig as a loving father who was also passionate about surfing. His tragic death has left a lasting impact on those who knew him, and the conviction has provided a sense of justice to his loved ones.
Reina’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the case.
The sentence of life in prison with no possibility of parole for 21 years reflects the severity of Reina’s actions and the devastating impact of her jealousy-fueled crime.
