Baby snatcher murders best friend with a dog leash in plot to steal her child

A woman has been sentenced to 55 years in prison after admitting she killed her best friend with a dog leash and stole her three-week old baby.

Magen Fieramusca, 37, had known victim Heidi Broussard, 33, for more than 20 years and when Heidi became pregnant, Fieramusca acted like she was also expecting a child.

Prosecutors say this was all just part of a ploy to steal Heidi's baby.

Travis County District Attorney José Garza said: "We are hopeful that this outcome will bring some closure to the Broussard and Carey families and help them continue their healing process."

"This outcome will save the families from having to endure the difficult post-conviction litigation process."

Fieramusca abducted the victim on December 12 2019 and stuffed into a black duffel bag.

Heidi Broussard, 33, and her daughter were last seen at an elementary school (Austin Police Department)

Heidi Broussard was found dead in the boot of a car parked at Magen Rose Fieramusca's house in Houston, Texas, on December 20.

Fieramusca has waived her right to appeal.

Judge Selena Alvarenga said in court that Fieramusca had “destroyed an entire family”.

She continued: "I think it is difficult, if not impossible, to find justice and any sort of resolution to this horrendous crime.

Broussard was strangled to death with a dog leash (Austin Police Department)

"Ms. Fieramusca, the fact is that by your actions you have deprived an innocent child, an innocent baby, the opportunity of growing up with her mother next to her."

Prosecutors have said the crime was long planned.

Fieramusca had pretended to be pregnant for months in a bid to pass her friend' baby off as her own.

When Margot was born Fieramusca told her ex-boyfriend that he was the father and she had birthed the child on December 12 - the same day Heidi and the baby went missing.

An autopsy determined that the mom’s death was caused by “ligature strangulation,” officials said.

Baby Margot was just three weeks old when her mum was killed (Austin Police Department)

Heidi Broussard was also mum to another child.

Heidis mum Tammy Broussard appeared in the courtroom to pay tribute to her daughter.

She said: "This is something I never imagined in my whole life, me and my husband.

"She was just so much fun and so full of life, and now it’s been taken from her.

"Heidi's hugs were strong, full of love. They lingered in the atmosphere. I still feel them now. She loved beyond measure, and she never gave up on anywhere. When I think of her, which is every moment, in everything I do, I ask, what would Heidi do? It gives me comfort.”