A man from California has been sentenced to 24 years in prison after pleading no contest to the voluntary manslaughter of Amery Sweany, a case that has drawn significant attention due to its tragic circumstances. The incident took place in April 2023 when Sweany’s body was discovered in an orchard located in Marysville, California.
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Authorities have detailed the events leading up to Sweany’s death, noting that the case took a decisive turn when a witness, prompted by an article in a local newspaper, chose to come forward with crucial information. According to the Yuba County District Attorney’s Office, this witness had spent time with Sweany in Yuba City just a week prior to her death.
On the night of April 26, 2023, after parting ways with the witness at a Jack in the Box in Marysville, Sweany moved to a nearby parking lot. Surveillance footage from this area was reviewed by investigators, revealing Ricky Singh Lasher, 41, in a white truck who was seen speaking to Sweany. The video prompted concerns as it showed Lasher circling around her multiple times, which raised alarms about his intentions.
Prosecutors stated that Sweany appeared increasingly agitated during these encounters before ultimately entering an ampm store adjacent to the parking lot. In a troubling turn of events, evidence indicated that Lasher stole Sweany’s bag, which contained her personal belongings, before leaving the vicinity.
Witness accounts reveal that Sweany lingered in the parking lot for about 50 minutes before leaving and heading east on 8th Street. Disturbingly, during this time, security footage captured Lasher’s truck driving in the opposite direction on 8th Street—this was reportedly the last sighting of Sweany before her tragic demise.
Investigators believe that Lasher may have lured Sweany into his vehicle under the pretext of offering her drugs, a tactic he had allegedly used on other women before. It is presumed that he attempted to sexually assault her, leading to her desperate struggle and eventual flight. The circumstances following this confrontation remain gruesome; prosecutors assert that Lasher pursued Sweany and deliberately ran her over, leaving her for dead.
Lasher was taken into custody in 2024 as the investigation progressed, and he eventually entered a no contest plea to the charge of voluntary manslaughter in April 2026. Alongside this admission, he also acknowledged committing sexual battery against another woman. His combined sentences reflect the severity of his actions, culminating in a total of 24 years in prison.
Furthermore, in a lasting consequence of his crimes, Lasher has been ordered to register as a sex offender for life. The court’s decision reflects the serious nature of his offences and aims to prevent future incidents of this kind.
The case continues to resonate in the community, highlighting issues surrounding violence against women and the crucial importance of reporting suspicious behaviour. Local authorities have emphasised the role that community vigilance plays in addressing such tragic incidents, urging individuals to come forward with any information that may assist law enforcement in their investigations.
As this case comes to a close with the sentencing of Ricky Singh Lasher, it serves as a somber reminder of the far-reaching impacts of crime and the need for ongoing discussions regarding safety and prevention in communities across the country.