CLAYTON, Mo. — A 61-year-old Missouri man was sentenced to 23 years in prison for killing and dismembering his wife before burying her in the Mark Twain National Forest.
John McLaughlin, of Sunset Hills, was sentenced Friday after pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter, evidence tampering and abandonment of a corpse. He was originally charged with second-degree murder.
The couple had been married 35 years when Linda McLaughlin filed for divorce. Linda disappeared three days before the couple was scheduled to appear in court in the divorce case.
Police said John McLaughlin murdered and dismembered his wife and dumped her body in the Mark Twain Forest.
Their Sunset Hills neighbors held vigils and put out signs asking for help.
Nearly a year later, in April of 2016, authorities say GPS data led them to Linda's body -- buried in a shallow grave in the woods over two hours southwest of St. Louis.
John McLaughlin had long maintained his innocence, but on Friday a judge accepted a plea deal that will send him to prison for Linda's death for 23 years.
McLaughlin pleaded guilty to manslaughter, tampering with evidence, and abandonment of a corpse.
He will eligible for parole by the time he's 70.
5 On Your Side has reached out to some of Linda's family and friends but so far has received no comment