The man responsible for the deaths of an Olalla couple last August will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Shaun Rose, 40, was handed a 66-year jail sentence in Kitsap Superior Court March 8, a sentence that judge Jennifer Forbes summed up as “essentially a life sentence.”

Rose pleaded not guilty when first arraigned but, as part of a plea agreement, ultimately pled guilty to two counts of first-degree murder.

Rose was arrested three days after the murders of 51-year-olds Steve and Mina Shulz, who were found shot and stuffed into a garbage can on Aug. 18 of last year. Tips from the community and cooperation of surrounding police departments were attributed to his quick apprehension, sheriff’s reports say.

The couple was well known in the South Kitsap and Olalla communities as the owners of E2W Brewing. The tragedy shook the community and the Shulz’s daughter, who spoke at the sentencing. She said, “He (Rose) ended their future, their place in my life. I lie awake haunted by thoughts of what my parents went through in their final moments.”

Rose’s defense attorney, Tom Weaver, said the crime stemmed from his client’s abuse of fentanyl and that it could be argued his life is being lost to both it and his inevitable life in prison.

The judge spoke more on the impact of drugs in these cases before imposing the sentence, saying, “There was a turning point, there was a diversion in the road that he took that resulted in the immense and unspeakable tragedy that you’re all enduring today.”

Sheriff John Gese shared his sympathies with the community. “I am thankful for the efforts made to bring this case to resolution and hope that it provides a measure of healing to this family and community who were also victims of this horrific crime.”