KALAMAZOO, Mich.
— A Kalamazoo man has been sentenced to life without parole for the murder of 65-year-old Sandra Villarreal, who was intentionally struck and killed in a Walmart parking lot in Oshtemo Township in August 2022.
On Wednesday, Xuan Thanh Vo, 26, of Kalamazoo, was sentenced for the brutal crime that took the life of Villarreal. According to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff’s Office, Vo deliberately hit Villarreal with his sedan in the parking lot of the Walmart on August 9, 2022. Villarreal was rushed to the hospital but was later pronounced dead from the injuries she sustained.
During the sentencing, emotional statements from Villarreal’s family highlighted the deep impact of her loss. Her granddaughter, Ree Adams, described her grandmother as her “best friend,” expressing the pain of having her life taken so violently. “She loved to be free and live as off-the-grid as she could,” Adams said tearfully. “You took that freedom from her… and us.”
Villarreal’s daughter, Jessica Donovan, also spoke during the hearing, sharing how her mother had always shown compassion to strangers, despite facing many struggles in her own life. “On top of other horrific traumas to her body, you ripped her heart and all of ours,” Donovan said. “May her loved ones now start to heal, and may all the people affected, even your family.”
Kalamazoo County Assistant Prosecutor Chelsea Huber called the crime one of the most heinous she has encountered in her career, noting the premeditation involved. “The planning beforehand, executing what he set out to accomplish that day—it’s horrifying,” Huber said.
Judge Pamela Lightvoet delivered the mandatory life sentence without hesitation, explaining that Vo posed a danger to society. “To run somebody over and then have them fly in the air, then you run over them again—it’s just really unfathomable,” Lightvoet remarked.
Vo showed no emotion during the proceedings, opting to stare at the floor or the gallery. He did not address the court but reportedly asked the judge as he was escorted out, “When is my transfer date?” His lack of remorse stood in stark contrast to the heartbreaking statements made by the victim’s family.
The crime was described as being both premeditated and cold-blooded. Investigators say Vo admitted to intentionally targeting Villarreal, telling police that he had woken up feeling angry and lonely, missing his ex-girlfriend. In a chilling confession, he stated that he wanted to kill someone with his car. He selected the Oshtemo Township Walmart parking lot because it was less crowded, providing the opportunity to accelerate his vehicle and hit someone.
Vo waited for Villarreal to walk through the parking lot before speeding up and intentionally running her over. After hitting her once, he then ran over her again as she was thrown into the air. The crime was committed without any known prior connection between Vo and Villarreal. Vo was arrested within minutes after the incident.
In addition to his life sentence, Vo was ordered to pay restitution to Villarreal’s family, including funeral expenses. The exact amount is still to be determined.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable and dangerous actions that can be carried out by individuals experiencing personal turmoil, and the devastating consequences for innocent victims and their families.
