Man Who Stabbed Postman 11 Times In Front Of His Mother Learns His Fate

In a long-awaited measure of relief for the victim’s family, a man convicted of fatally stabbing an off-duty U.S. Postal Service mail carrier has been sentenced to prison in a Clackamas County courtroom in Oregon.

Chad Michael Westover, 53, was convicted of second-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon in the killing of Tristan Thomas, 43. The incident occurred on September 21, 2024, following a confrontation at their apartment complex on Southeast Sunnyside Road.

During sentencing, Thomas’ mother, Beth Kostelnik, urged the court to impose the maximum sentence. “He has shown no remorse for killing my son and taking him away from us. He has just shown arrogance through this whole court system. I think if he gets out he is going to do it again,” Kostelnik said, according to Fox affiliate KPTV reported.

Westover, a former public school teacher, addressed the court and offered a brief apology. “My instincts kicked in. I’m sorry. I think forgiveness is the best revenge. We will get there over time, I hope,” he said.

Court records show that earlier on the day of the killing, Thomas argued with a neighbor, Christopher Stewart, about a parking spot. During the dispute, Thomas pepper-sprayed Stewart, who then pushed Thomas to the ground.

Later that evening, Thomas encountered Stewart’s teenage daughter, who became alarmed and contacted her father, according to authorities in Clackamas County.

Stewart, Westover, and Westover’s cousin, Samantha Christensen, then confronted Thomas. “Thomas had armed himself with a large kitchen knife and called 911 before returning to the stairwell of the apartment he shared with his mother,” according to an arrest affidavit.

Stewart and Christensen recorded the confrontation. At one point, Westover instructed them to stop filming so he could “handle it.” Another neighbor continued recording.

Westover followed Thomas into the stairwell, where a struggle broke out outside the apartment. The attack lasted about three minutes and was captured on video, as well as audio from Thomas’ 911 call, according to the affidavit.

Despite pleas from neighbors and Thomas’ mother to stop, Westover remained on top of Thomas, repeatedly stabbing him. Westover was also injured during the altercation.

Thomas sustained multiple stab wounds, including a four-inch slash to his left vertebral artery. He was transported to a hospital, where he died on October 3, 2024. Westover fled the scene and was arrested five days later at an Oregon City post office. Investigators said he falsely claimed his injuries were caused by a motorcycle accident.

Westover’s attorneys argued that Thomas was an “unstable man” who was intoxicated on the day of the attack.

Brandon Thomas, the victim’s cousin, said Tristan was “quirky, boisterous, lovable, and vibrant,” recalling that his presence “brought a smile to many, you always knew when he was in the room.”