Dare County, N.C. - A man accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend pleaded guilty to second degree murder and kidnapping charges on Monday morning.
Nate Summerfield will spend at least 30 years behind bars. Investigators say he strangled and stabbed his ex-girlfriend, Lynn Jackenheimer, during an Outer Banks vacation in July 2012. The body of the mother of two was later found in a ditch.
In a very intense court hearing, Jackenheimer's family read statements directed to Summerfield. "You deserve exactly what is coming to you. There's a special place in hell for you," said Tasha Holland, Lynn's sister.
Summerfield blamed the incident on the sleeping aid Ambien. "This incident would not have occurred were it not for Ambien," he told a judge. He didn't elaborate on its effects, but did apologize to Jackenheimer's family.
Jackenheimer's family says they won't forgive him. "I will never forgive him ever. If she came back to life, I would be happy, but I will never forgive him," said Ciara Sheppard, Jackenheimer's daughter. "He did what he did and no matter if he says sorry or what, I'm not going to forgive him for what he did.
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