PEORIA, IL — Authorities say an Illinois man who staged his girlfriend’s murder to look like suicide was sentenced Monday to 45 years behind bars after entering a guilty plea to first-degree murder.

Nathaniel N. Archuleta, 19, learned his punishment in Peoria County Circuit Court nearly a year after the death of 20-year-old Mary Halcomb. Prosecutors say Halcomb was found shot in her South Peoria home, a scene that was manipulated with a handwritten note intended to suggest she had taken her own life.

Emergency crews responding to a 911 call on Sept. 6, 2023, discovered Halcomb unresponsive on a stairwell landing in her residence in the 1400 block of South Griswold Street. Officers said she had a gun in her hand and had suffered a fatal wound to the neck. Paramedics pronounced her dead at the scene.

A post-it note found nearby appeared to be a confession, written in Halcomb’s name, stating she had consented to be harmed if she broke Archuleta’s heart, with a declaration of love. However, investigators soon found discrepancies that contradicted the narrative of suicide.

Police noticed a trail of blood leading from the bedroom to the landing where Halcomb’s body was discovered, indicating she had likely been moved after being shot. Authorities say this physical evidence raised doubts about the original report and prompted an in-depth investigation.

During police interviews, Archuleta gave shifting statements about the incident. He first insisted Halcomb had died by suicide, but later claimed the shooting was accidental while he was cleaning his firearm. According to court documents, he eventually confessed to a fellow inmate that he had shot Halcomb after finding out she was communicating with another man.

The emotional impact of Halcomb’s death was evident in court on Monday. Family members described their grief and relentless pain, sharing stories of sleepless nights, shattered futures, and the enduring loss of a sister and daughter who dreamed of becoming a nurse.

Loved ones recalled Halcomb’s caring nature, her commitment to a future in nursing, and her devotion as the eldest sibling in her family. Her obituary noted that she aspired to help others, and her loss left an irreplaceable void in the lives of those closest to her.

Authorities said Monday’s sentencing closes a devastating chapter for Halcomb’s family, who called for justice and expressed feelings of betrayal and heartbreak over Archuleta’s actions. The state’s attorney emphasized the “selfish and unforgivable” nature of the crime as the court delivered its sentence.

Archuleta has begun serving his 45-year prison term, with state law requiring he serve the majority of his sentence before becoming eligible for parole.