A 55-year-old man charged with the violent murder of 37-year-old Laura Perez inside his Hopewell home was sentenced Tuesday to 62 years in prison.
According to authorities, on April 25, 2017, police responded to Brian Sheppard’s Hopewell home where they found Perez dead in his bedroom. Officials say Perez’s skull was fractured and her face had been mutilated.
Police say Sheppard turned himself in to police two days after Perez’s body was discovered.
Authorities charged Sheppard with first-degree murder, two counts of weapons charges and two counts of eluding police.
Mercer County Superior Court Judge sentenced Bingham to 62 years in prison. He must serve the first 55 years before being considered for parole, under the No Early Release Act.