Meadow Vista man sentenced 25 to life for murder of his girlfriend

The Placer County District Attorney's Office reported Tuesday that Justin Rose, 30, of Meadow Vista was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison Monday for the premeditated murder of his girlfriend. Rose shot 23-year-old Sarah Rose of Meadow Vista in the abdomen and used a knife to cut her throat on Oct. 19, 2019. The Placer County Sheriff's Office previously confirmed the suspect and victim were in a dating relationship and coincidentally had the same last name. According to a 2019 Auburn Journal report, Rose fled the scene but was later located driving in the area and was in possession of a rifle believed to have been used in the shooting. According to the DA's Office, Rose entered a guilty plea to premeditated first-degree murder on Aug. 6, 2021. "After hearing from the family and friends of Sarah Rose, it is clear that she was an amazing young woman who was deeply loved and made this world a better place in her short time here," Jennifer Ow, assistant district attorney who prosecuted the case on behalf of the DA's Office, said in a written statement. "While there is nothing that I or anyone can do or say that can undo the defendant's heinous crime, I hope that today's sentence brings them some semblance of justice." According to the Placer County online in-custody report, Rose remains in custody within the county.