Man sentenced to life in prison for 2013 Jamaica Plain murder
Celestine Walker.
A man was sentenced to life in prison Tuesday for the 2013 murder of his partner, 45-year-old Celestine Walker, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney’s office.
Phillip Carrington, 51, was found guilty of second-degree murder and violating a restraining order that Walker had taken out against him after allegations of abuse.
During the trial, prosecutors said Carrington had been involved in a romantic relationship with Walker during which he beat and abused her.
Authorities said Walker was last seen alive re-entering her Jamaica Plain apartment with Carrington on May 11, 2013, Mother’s Day, after receiving a ride home from a friend.
Her decomposing body wasn’t discovered until almost a week later, on May 16, when employees from the complex responded to complaints of a reported strong odor, according to the DA’s office. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined she’d been beaten and strangled.
Several of Walker’s family members confronted Carrington after learning of her death, and he initially denied any knowledge of her death, according to the DA’s office. However, authorities said he later told family members the death had been an accident.
Walker’s family addressed the court before the sentencing, saying they will have to live with his “thoughtless, hateful behavior” forever.
“From this day forth, our family has to battle with constant feelings of loss and loneliness,” Walker’s daughter told the court.
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