A Pennsylvania man has pleaded guilty to third-degree murder after he killed his cousin with a semi-automatic rifle, dragged the body into a hole, and lit it on fire.
Derek Louk, 30, agreed to the plea deal Thursday in Bedford County in connection with the death of Tyler Matthai last year.
Louk also pleaded guilty to abuse of a corpse, WJAC-TV reports.
Authorities alleged that Louk shot Matthai with an AR-15 on April 26, 2022, after Matthai allegedly broke into his home and dragged Matthai’s estranged girlfriend, Courtney Boden, to a car.
After shooting Matthai, Louk buried the man’s dead body in a hole in his yard before pouring kerosene and burning the remains.
Louk’s friend, Jordon Robertson, allegedly helped him move the body into the hole, according to the Bedford Gazette.
Meanwhile, Boden helped burn Matthai’s body and assisted in the efforts to conceal the killing, including attempts to clean bloodstains and sell the gun.
Boden and Robertson have already pleaded guilty; Boden was sentenced to two years and three months up to 12 years in prison, while Robertson is still awaiting a court decision on his sentencing.
A family member reportedly told police that Matthai had been high the night of the shooting and that he was physically abusive toward Boden. Louk allegedly told his cousin to stop or else he would shoot him.
Despite Matthai’s alleged instigation of the shooting, prosecutors said shooting and killing him was not justified.
“The defendant not only pulled the trigger, he then conspired to conceal his horrific crimes by destroying the evidence — the victim’s body,” Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry said in a press release. “With this plea, he is accepting responsibility for such senseless acts of violence and disregard for human life.”
Louk could be sentenced between 15 and 30 years in prison. He is scheduled to be sentenced on September 22.
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[Featured image: Derek Louk/Bedford County Correctional Facility]
