The child actor in Diary of a Wimpy Kid was sentenced to life in prison after fatally shooting his mother in the head in March 2020. The actor was also known for his role in the CW hit Riverdale.
Ryan Grantham pled guilty to second-degree murder for the death of his mother, Barbara Waite. On Wednesday, the 24-year-old was sentenced to life in prison and will not be eligible for parole until another 14 years. The court hearing took place in Vancouver, Canada.
Grantham’s rising mental issues contributed to the murder. He reportedly had been viewing violent and graphic footage weeks before pulling off the brutal murder. Though he is getting psychiatric treatment in jail now, according to his attorney, Chris Johnson, he was expecting the life sentence.
“I think he anticipated what the judge gave him as a sentence,” Johnson said. “I think he’s pretty apprehensive about the whole thing. He’s a fairly tiny person, and to go to the prison system, I’m sure it, ‘s a daunting and scary thought for him.”
After Grantham killed his mother, he planned on killing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. CBC reported that he loaded his car with three guns, ammunition, 12 Molotov cocktails, camping supplies, and a map showing where the prime minister lived.
Fortunately, Grantham never made it to Trudeau and turned himself in after murdering his mother on March 31, 2020.
Lisa Grantham, Ryan’s sister, discovered their mom on April 1. Lisa released a statement regarding the verdict and her mother. She said her mother was her “best friend” battling cancer.
“She was vulnerable, and Ryan gave her no chance to defend herself. It pains me to know he was a danger to her life.”
According to psychiatric reports, Grantham was going through clinical depression and had urges to commit violence and suicide. CBC also reports that Grantham killed his mother to “spare her from seeing the violence he intended to commit.”
Grantham’s sister, Lisa, and the mother’s sister “fear his release from prison.”
