Man gets 31 years for killing wife, dumping body

A New Jersey man was sentenced Thursday to more than 30 years in prison in the choking death of his wife, whose body was found in Maryland by investigators using a GPS device in his vehicle.

Kyle Crosby, 29, was sentenced to 31 years behind bars in the New Year's Eve 2014 killing of Erica Crippen.

The Mount Laurel man pleaded guilty in December to aggravated manslaughter and hindering apprehension in the death of his 26-year-old wife.

Investigators found Crippen's body in March 2015 along a rural road in Sykesville, Maryland, after determining that Crosby had spent time along a nearby road. She had been missing since New Year's Eve, and Crosby admitted choking her that day.

Crosby apologized to Crippen's family and asked for forgiveness in court Thursday.

"I miss Erica, my wife, terribly," he said. "I'm sorry. ... I know I hurt a lot of people."

Charges against Crosby's mother of helping her son conceal the crime were dismissed as part of the deal. Authorities have said Jo Crosby provided significant assistance to her son as he allegedly attempted to conceal Crippen's death.

Crippen's body was discovered under some branches and brush. Prosecutors say it was wrapped in a blanket; her arms, legs and neck were bound with an electrical cord and duct tape was on her face and nose.

Crosby wiped away tears as friends and family of Crippen spoke in court, telling him that he robbed her children of a lifetime of memories.

"You have taken someone so precious to us," said Jasmine Garrett, a friend of Crippen's. "May God have mercy on your soul."

Judge Charles Delehy said that the plea deal allowed Crippen's family to avoid the agony of a trial, where he said Crosby would have likely been convicted of murder.

Crosby must serve 85 percent of the sentence for the manslaughter charge before he becomes eligible for parole.

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