An Oregon man has been given a life sentence for the murder of his Shasta County cousin. 35-year-old Christopher Allen Catterson was reported missing by his family in October of 2021. He had gone fishing at Keswick Lake the previous day with his cousin, 37-year-old Clayton Allen Stearns of Klamath Falls. Deputies found Catterson’s pickup, then they found Catterson, who obviously had been violently stabbed to death. With help from the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office, search warrants were served in Oregon and blood evidence was recovered that led to the arrest of Stearns. He had accused Catterson of stealing his identity in order to meet women. It wasn’t true, and was apparently one of the delusions Stearns was suffering due to his declining metal health. Catterson agreed to the fishing trip hoping he could counsel Stearns and help him clear his head. Stearns entered guilty pleas in December and was sentenced yesterday to 25-years-to-life in prison. Many of Catterson’s family members attended the sentencing hearing and expressed the profound impact the loss has had on the lives.