PMZWed, 12 Feb 2025 16:46:48 +0000 11, 2016 Local News
Cape Girardeau Co., Mo. (KFMO) - A man convicted of brutally murdering his niece will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
51-year-old Lawrence Schanda received his sentence Monday, February 10, after being found guilty in January of first-degree murder, armed criminal action, and tampering with physical evidence in a felony prosecution. According to the Cape Girardeau County Clerk’s Office, Schanda was sentenced to life without parole in the Missouri Department of Corrections for the murder charge, 15 years for armed criminal action, and seven years for tampering with evidence. The sentences will be served consecutively. Teresa Baumgartner, who was also charged in connection with the case, has a case review scheduled for March 3. Authorities say Schanda and Baumgartner were involved in the killing of Schanda’s 20-year-old niece, Jessi Wilfong.
The Cape Girardeau County Sheriff’s Office reported that Wilfong’s body was discovered buried in a barn on property near Schanda and Baumgartner’s home.
