FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ill. (WJPF) – A West Frankfort man has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for a 2019 murder.

Thomas McCoy pleaded guilty to First Degree Murder in the death of Kendra Ardery, 29. Lesser charges were dropped in exchange for McCoy’s guilty plea. McCoy will not be eligible for early release.

Authorities say Thomas McCoy killed Kendra Ardery by hitting her the back of the head and neck. He then dumped her body in a tall patch of grass along Angelville Road in Williamson County. McCoy eventually led investigators to the location of Ardery’s remains.