SAN ANTONIO, TX – A San Antonio man will spend nearly a century behind bars after being convicted of murdering his neighbor in a violent 2022 attack, authorities said.

Malik Pryor, 29, received a 99-year prison sentence for the killing of 39-year-old Jarrod Papen, who was found dead in Pryor’s apartment after being strangled with an electrical cord. The sentence was handed down following a jury’s guilty verdict earlier this week in Bexar County.

According to court records, Papen was last seen alive on May 14, 2022, when he left his home and never returned. His partner, Michael Simek, testified that the two neighbors — Pryor and Papen — had a history of disputes before the fatal encounter. Concern grew when Simek discovered Papen’s cigarette pack discarded near their front door, prompting him to report Papen missing the next day.

The investigation took a turn when Pryor’s longtime girlfriend came to Pryor’s residence the day Papen went missing. There, she noticed Papen seated on the living room floor, appearing unconscious. When she questioned Pryor about Papen’s presence, Pryor reportedly claimed ignorance, saying Papen had simply wandered in.

The next day, Pryor’s girlfriend returned to the apartment to gather some belongings. She found Papen in the same position and immediately alerted law enforcement, concerned something was seriously wrong.

Authorities arrived on the scene and discovered Papen was dead. A report from the Bexar County Medical Examiner determined that he had been strangled with an electrical cord. Investigators also presented evidence during Pryor’s trial— including photographs of the bloodied cord, a bullet, and clothing stained with blood. The medical examiner also documented blunt force injuries to Papen’s head.

For almost a year following the murder, Pryor managed to avoid capture by authorities. His arrest came in April 2023, bringing an end to the months-long manhunt.

In a statement following the sentencing, Bexar County District Attorney Joe Gonzales said the lengthy prison term reflected the community’s demand for justice and accountability. Gonzales emphasized that the verdict delivered a sense of closure to Papen’s loved ones and sent a message about the seriousness of violent crime in the area.

Pryor will be eligible for parole, but the near-total length of his sentence means he is unlikely to be released from prison. The murder left a lasting impact on the community, with friends and family of Papen still grappling with the violent nature of his death.

Authorities have not disclosed further details regarding Pryor’s motive or additional circumstances surrounding the case. The trial concluded without incident, and Pryor was remanded to the custody of the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to begin serving his sentence.