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Leila Cavett’s family describes lasting grief as Shannan Ryan receives life sentence
A Florida judge sentenced Shannan Ryan to life in prison after a jury convicted Ryan of second-degree murder in the death of 21-year-old Leila Cavett. Cavett’s body has never been found, and her sister told the court the loss remains deeply painful.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Shannan Ryan was sentenced Friday to life in prison for the second-degree murder of Leila Cavett, a 21-year-old mother who disappeared about six years ago. Cavett’s body has never been recovered.
Ryan was convicted last month. On the day Cavett went missing, her young son was found wandering alone, according to the case account.
At Friday’s sentencing hearing, Cavett’s relatives described the continuing impact of her disappearance and death. Her sister, Tyuania Cavett, said reminders of Leila—including her name and the songs she loved—can bring the grief back sharply.
“There are days I can’t even talk about it because of the pain I feel,” Tyuania Cavett told the court.
Ryan, who has maintained innocence, showed little visible reaction during the hearing. Defense attorney Dameka Davis disputed prosecutors’ portrayal of Ryan as a “witch doctor,” arguing that the characterization unfairly shaped the case. Davis also rejected the prosecution’s account of Cavett as evil as part of a narrative used to justify the killing.
Davis said she plans to appeal the conviction. Cavett’s family has been left without her remains to bury.