Grover Beach resident sentenced to 56 years to life for first degree murder of Kristen Marti in 2018

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. – Grover Beach resident Robert W. Koehler IV was sentenced on Jan. 31 to 56 years to life for the murder of 26-year-old Kristen Marti.

Kristen Marti was last seen alive in the 1800 block of Prefumo Canyon Rd. on Jan. 9, 2018.

Her remains were recovered in a remote part of Prefumo Canyon west of San Luis Obispo after a three-month search.

Computer forensics and other investigative tools led to Koehler's arrest in Rogers, Minnesota in May of 2018.

Koehler was convicted of murder in the first degree on July 14, 2022 with a special allegation for the use of a deadly weapon after an eight-week trial.

Prior to his trial for murder, Koehler had a pre-existing strike on his record following a prior conviction for felony carjacking in 2005 according to charging documents.

San Luis Obispo County Superior Court Judge Jesse Marino sentenced Koehler to the maximum allowed based on his conviction according to San Luis Obispo County District Attorney's office.

“Today, we finally have justice for Kristen Marti five years after she was brutally murdered,” said District Attorney Dan Dow. “This defendant should spend the rest of his life in state prison and today’s sentence should make that possible."

For any questions about this case, contact Assistant District Attorney Eric J. Dobroth at 805-781-5819.