Man sentenced to prison after killing friend, stuffing him into trash can

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- A 26-year-old man was sentenced to prison Tuesday for shooting and killing his friend while the victim was asleep in his Ramona apartment.

Sean Hawksworth, who was convicted in May of all counts and allegations, including murder, residential burglary, grand theft and being a felon in possession of a firearm, was sentenced to 47 years-to-life in prison, San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said in a news release.

In October 2023, Hawksworth fatally shot 26-year-old Aguilar Alba in the head while the victim was asleep in his apartment, according to the DA. Hawksworth then stuffed the body into a trash can, stripped the apartment of valuables and stole Aguilar Alba’s Camaro, clothing, and designer sneakers.

Authorities later found Alba's property in a storage unit Hawksworth had rented and transferred into his brother’s name, Stephan said.

Days after the killing, Hawksworth returned to the crime scene multiple times in an attempt to cover up his actions while continuing his drug-dealing activities as though nothing had happened, per the DA.