Austin Sigg, 18, was convicted of the brutal murder of 10-year-old Jessica Ridgeway and will likely spend the rest of his life in prison.
In October 2012, Jessica was abducted and her neighbors in Westminster, Colorado rallied together to search for her for five days. Dismembered body parts were found and they were later identified as belonging to Jessica. Sigg was then arrested and pleaded guilty to 15 counts that included first-degree murder and sexual assault of a child. The counts also also included charges linked to his May 2012 attempt to abduct a 22-year-old jogger, reports NBC News.
Sigg was 17 at the time of the murder, so he was not eligible for the death penalty. His attorneys pleaded with District Judge Stephen Munsinger on Tuesday to at least make him eligible for parole in 40 years. Mussinger did give Sigg that possibility. However, he not only gave Sigg a life sentence for murder, but added 86 years for the other crimes.
“This case cries out for a life sentence,” Mussinger said, reports The Associated Press.
Sigg, who left high school after 11th grade, showed no emotions during the hearing. The Denver Post notes that on Monday, he did cry as Jessica’s family spoke about the young girl they loved.
“This monster took away the light, at least in my life,” Jessica’s grandmother, Christine Ridgeway, said Monday, notes the Post. “I would like to know that Mr. Sigg is in a very small cell for the rest of his life."