An Ohio man was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the murder of his ex-girlfriend.
Blake Linkous pleaded guilty to the murder of Natalie Martin, 18, while on a trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, before his trial began on Monday.
FILE: Blake Linkous (Horry County Police Department).
On June 6, 2023, Linkous strangled Martin during a group trip to celebrate their recent high school graduation, after an argument about her texting another man.
Prosecutors said in court on Monday that the former couple split up weeks before the trip.
Other members of the group previously told Fox News that Linkous attempted suicide after killing Martin.
While awaiting trial, Linkous was released on a $150,000 bond with the condition that he undergo a mental health evaluation and waive extradition to be placed under house arrest at his parents’ home in Ohio.
Linkous, now 20, could face life in prison if convicted at trial. Prosecutors requested a 45-year sentence, which the judge said “was more than appropriate given the circumstances.”
