Tragic Guilty Plea: 30-Year-Old Man Admits Killing Cousin And Burning Her Corpse in A Shocking Cover-Up Attempt

A 30-year-old man, Derek Louk, has recently pleaded guilty to third-degree murder for the killing of his cousin, Tyler Matthai, last year. 

This guilty plea came with the admission that he, along with his cousin's estranged girlfriend and another individual, attempted to cover up the crime by burning the victim's body.

Derek Louk made this plea in Bedford County Court, Pennsylvania. The plea also included a guilty admission to the charge of abusing a corpse. 

According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry, Louk has agreed to serve a prison term ranging from 15 to 30 years, as outlined in his plea agreement. 

The sentencing is scheduled for September 22.

Authorities reveal that Louk confessed to shooting Tyler Matthai on April 26, 2022. Afterward, he conspired with two accomplices to burn the body and eliminate evidence of the crime. 

The Pennsylvania Attorney General, Michelle Henry, condemned Louk's actions, emphasizing the seriousness of his crimes and his disregard for human life.

Matthai's estranged girlfriend, Courtney S. Boden, who was involved in the botched cover-up and burning of the body, has been sentenced to a prison term of 2¼ to 12 years. 

Another accomplice, Jordon Robertson, has also pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

The incident occurred on April 26, 2022, when Louk allegedly shot Matthai with an AR-15 rifle. Subsequently, Louk attempted to conceal the crime by burying the body, setting it ablaze, and then sleeping while the fire burned.

Louk recounted that he had known Boden for seven years since moving to Bedford County, Pennsylvania. 

He described the abusive relationship between Matthai and Boden. 

Louk stated that Matthai forcibly entered his home, dragged Boden to his car, and, after retrieving an AR-15 rifle, he shot Matthai in the arm and back.

Louk admitted to multiple checks for a pulse, confirming Matthai's death. The body was then buried, covered with tires, and set on fire using kerosene. 

Authorities obtained this information from a criminal complaint and affidavit.

Louk's account suggests that Matthai was under the influence of drugs on that fateful night and he asserted that he was physically aggressive towards Boden. 

When Louk intervened and asked Matthai to stop, the situation escalated, leading to the shooting.

Boden later informed a witness that Matthai overdosed and died. The witness stated that they disposed of the body and belongings, leaving no trace behind. 

The attempt to clean bloodstains from a vehicle, destroy evidence, and sell the murder weapon was part of the cover-up.

In another news, a police officer has been arrested for killing his partner who was pregnant with triplets. See detailed story here.

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