A man who was accused of killing his wife and sleeping with her corpse for a week has been been found guilty of her murder.
Jeff Charles Sherwood, 47, will spend between 38 and 60 years in prison for the grisly attack on Susan Klepsch.
The 64-year-old died from blunt force trauma to the head and neck in March 2020, Oakland County Circuit Court heard.
She was found at their home in Hazel Park, Michigan.
Based on evidence from the court's medical examiner, it’s believed Sherwood slept with her body for up to seven days after taking her life.
He was only disturbed when police went to the couple’s home after they were given a tip off and found the body in his bed.
Last month he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in exchange for dismissal of a first-degree murder charge.
At a sentencing hearing Thursday, Judge Daniel O’Brien told him he could spend up to 60 years behind bars.
The court heard that Sherwood had reportedly tried to hang himself in the basement.
Police told the judge the man initially said he and his wife had made a murder-suicide pact.
He claimed they feared for their life after the initial outbreak of the deadly Covid-19 bug.
But later, he admitted beating and strangling his wife after she accused him of cheating on her.
Sherwood underwent psychiatric evaluation before being declared competent to stand trial.
He opted out of trial with his guilty plea.
