Woman Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Death of Boston Police Officer

A Pennsylvania man, Derek Louk, has entered a guilty plea for third-degree murder in the killing of his cousin, Tyler Matthai, last year. The incident involved a gruesome cover-up attempt, which included burning the victim's body with the assistance of his estranged girlfriend and another individual.
 The guilty plea was made in Bedford County Court and was accompanied by an admission of guilt for abuse of a corpse.
 According to Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry's press release on Thursday, Derek Louk, not only confessed to fatally shooting Matthai on April 26, 2022, but also revealed his involvement in conspiring with two others to burn the victim's body and conceal the crime.
 "Beyond pulling the trigger, the defendant orchestrated a scheme to obliterate the evidence - the victim's remains," Henry stated. "This plea signifies an acknowledgment of responsibility for these heartless acts of violence and disregard for human life."
 Louk's accomplice in the cover-up, Courtney S. Boden, identified as the estranged girlfriend of the victim, received a sentence of 2¼ to 12 years in prison after admitting her involvement in burning the body and attempting to cover up the crime. Another individual, Jordon Robertson, has also pleaded guilty and awaits sentencing.
 The events unfolded on April 26, 2022, when Louk allegedly used an AR-15 rifle to shoot Matthai twice, claiming self-defense after Matthai entered his residence and forcefully took Boden to a car waiting outside. Louk then allegedly dragged Matthai's lifeless body to a hole in his yard, buried it under tires, doused it in kerosene, and ignited it, maintaining the fire for approximately six hours while he slept.
 According to Louk, he and Boden had a seven-year friendship since his relocation to Bedford County. The court documents revealed that Matthai and Boden had a history of abusive behavior in their relationship.
 Louk recounted that Matthai forcefully entered his home, took Boden from the living room, and placed her in the back seat of her car. Louk retrieved his AR-15 rifle and shot Matthai in the arm and, subsequently in the back. He asserted that he verified Matthai's death by checking for a pulse on multiple occasions. Louk then proceeded to bury Matthai's body in a makeshift grave on his property and set it ablaze with kerosene.
 Louk disclosed that the fire burned for six hours while he slept, and the following morning, he covered the burnt remains with soil. Authorities were alerted to the situation by a relative, who claimed that Boden had mentioned Matthai's drug use and aggressive behavior that night. According to the relative's testimony, Boden informed them that Louk had warned Matthai to stop his violent behavior or face consequences, leading to Louk allegedly shooting him.
 Boden reportedly told the witness she attempted to stem the bleeding, but Matthai overdosed and died. She confessed to disposing of the body and belongings in an undisclosed manner, obliterating all traces of the victim. She further attempted to cleanse bloodstains from a vehicle and sell the murder weapon.
 Louk's plea agreement stipulates a prison term of 15 to 30 years. The sentencing is scheduled for September 22. 
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