SAUGUS, MA – A Lynn man has been ordered to spend the rest of his life behind bars after being convicted of murdering his girlfriend and abandoning her body in a marshland north of Boston, officials said.

Bruce Maiben, 48, received a sentence of life in prison without parole following his conviction for the first-degree murder of 40-year-old Sherell Pringle. The ruling was handed down this week after a jury found Maiben guilty in the brutal killing that took place in December 2021.

The case began to unfold on December 19, 2021, when Pringle’s family reported her missing after she did not return home or reach out following a night spent with Maiben. Loved ones immediately voiced their concerns to authorities, fearing for her safety.

Two days later, family members discovered Pringle’s body in a marsh off Route 107 in Saugus, an area approximately 11 miles north of Boston. Using location tracking from her cell phone, they managed to locate her after their initial appeals for help.

Investigators determined that Pringle had been stabbed more than 200 times, injuries which necessitated a closed-casket funeral, according to her mother. The grim details of the attack shocked the community and intensified the focus on the ensuing investigation.

Maiben was arrested and appeared at Lynn District Court within days of the body’s discovery. At first, he faced charges including larceny and evidence tampering, but a grand jury soon indicted him on a murder charge as the investigation progressed. Prosecutors alleged that Maiben’s actions were motivated by domestic discord, noting that Pringle had indicated to friends her desire to end the relationship after he allegedly threatened her in the past.

Throughout the trial, Pringle’s family demonstrated visible solidarity, attending court sessions in large numbers to support one another and to honor her memory. Their presence underscored the deep impact the loss has had on her loved ones and the broader community.

During sentencing, Pringle’s mother spoke emotionally in court, expressing the family’s devastation and condemning Maiben’s actions. The loss, she said, would be felt for generations, especially by Pringle’s son and extended relatives.

Court filings revealed that Pringle had communicated plans to leave Maiben in the days leading up to her death, including text messages to friends signaling she no longer wished to continue their relationship. Prosecutors highlighted these details in building their case.

Authorities said the verdict brought a measure of justice, and they expressed hope that the sentence would help Pringle’s family begin to heal, even as they acknowledged the enduring pain caused by her loss.

Pringle is remembered by those close to her as a driven and compassionate woman—a “natural-born leader” with ambition and a strong spirit. She leaves behind a legacy cherished by her family, friends, and especially her beloved son.