MURDER PLEA: Benitez Sentenced In Vanlo’s Death

A man who admitted killing his girlfriend last year will spend more than three decades behind bars.

Nineteen-year-old Raymond Benitez was originally charged with first degree murder in the death of 18-year-old Judy Vanlo.

The girl was found dead in her parent’s Des Moines home last June.

Benitez plead guilty in February to a lesser charge of second degree murder and willful injury, causing serious injury.

The judge sentenced him to 60 years in prison. He is required to serve 35 years before becoming eligible for parole.