Man Who Killed Friend and Stuffed Him into Trash Can Sentenced to Prison

San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan said today that a 26-year-old Ramona man has been sentenced to prison for the shooting death of Eduardo Aguilar Alba, 26, in his home in October 2023.

Sean Hawksworth was sentenced to 47 years-to-life in prison after a jury convicted him in May of all counts and allegations, including murder, residential burglary, grand theft and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

“This was a willful, deliberate and premeditated murder,” DA Stephan said. “I hope that today’s sentence brings a measure of closure and justice for the victims left behind in the wake of this violent crime.”

In October 2023, Hawksworth fatally shot Aguilar Alba in the head while the victim was asleep in his apartment. He then stuffed the body into a trash can, stripped the apartment of valuables, and stole Aguilar Alba’s Camaro, clothing, and designer sneakers. Detectives later recovered the victim’s property in a storage unit Hawksworth had rented and transferred into his brother’s name.

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

Deputy District Attorney Philippa Cunningham prosecuted this case.