Man pleads guilty to killing girlfriend, hiding body

SOMERSET, Ky. (AP) — A Pulaski County man has pleaded guilty to killing his girlfriend and hiding her body in a sinkhole.

Police told The Commonwealth Journal (http://bit.ly/1EeHL0D ) that 35-year-old Johnny Ray Hendrix left the residence on an ATV following a fight between the couple. He was gone about two hours, and relatives of the victim, 34-year-old Monica Wells, had no contact with her after that.

A ground search of the area turned up Wells’ body in a 12-foot-deep sinkhole. Hendrix was arrested in October.

Hendrix was convicted of murder and evidence tampering with the plea this week. Prosecutors recommended a 25-year prison sentence.

Commonwealth’s Attorney Eddy Montgomery said Wells’ family wanted to avoid a jury trial.

Police say there had been a substantial history of domestic abuse with the couple.

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Information from: Commonwealth Journal, http://www.somerset-kentucky.com

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