Matthew Lewinski, 42, received a life sentence without parole on 14/7 for the December 2020 murder of his ex-girlfriend, Courtney "Jerri" Winters, 52. A jury previously convicted Lewinski of first-degree premeditated murder, disinterment and mutilation of a dead body, and concealing a death to obstruct justice.

According to Macomb Daily, the crime occurred after Winters unexpectedly arrived at Lewinski's home, informing him she had an abortion. The couple had ended their relationship about a month prior. A heated argument escalated into a physical altercation, during which Winters bit Lewinski before he strangled her.

After Winters' death, Lewinski initially left her body in a bathtub, then concealed it in his basement for several months, according to the Macomb County Prosecutor's Office in Michigan. He also periodically removed "parts of the victim's body to conceal and dispose of the remains."

Matthew Lewinski upon arrest. Photo: Macomb County Sheriff's Office

Lewinski's attempts to hide the crime ended when he was hospitalized on 26/7/2021. His sister then visited the house and discovered Winters' decomposing body, wrapped in a tarp. Lewinski was arrested on 30/7/2021.

Neighbors reported smelling a foul odor from Lewinski's apartment for months, initially attributing it to dead animals. Winters was never reported missing from the time of her death until her body was found, Macomb Daily noted.

While receiving hospital treatment, Lewinski confessed his actions to the police. His defense attorney sought to exclude the confession from evidence, arguing that police failed to read him his Miranda rights before questioning. Although the trial court initially granted this request, the Michigan Court of Appeals later reversed the ruling, allowing the confession to be used at trial.