BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – The man convicted earlier this year of murdering a woman who was found dismembered and burned in an undeveloped part of Palm Bay known as “The Compound” has been sentenced to life in prison.
Daniel Stearns, 35, was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for second-degree murder and received two sentences of 268.8 months each for tampering with evidence and abuse of a body, all of which will be served concurrently.
In October, Stearns was found guilty of second-degree murder in the 2023 death of 44-year-old Nancy Howery.
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Prosecutors say Stearns was angry that Howery wouldn’t date him exclusively after the two met online, so he shot and killed her.
Howery’s remains were found at several locations around “The Compound,” according to investigators.
[MORE: Trial starts for woman’s dismemberment in Palm Bay’s ‘Compound’]
This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.