A Macomb County, Michigan, man has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole after being convicted of murdering his former girlfriend, keeping her body inside his home for months, and gradually dismembering her remains in an attempt to conceal the crime. The sentencing concludes a disturbing case that shocked investigators and the local community.
According to the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office, 42-year-old Matthew Lewinski was found guilty of first-degree premeditated murder, disinterment and mutilation of a dead body, and concealing the death of an individual. Following his conviction, the court imposed a mandatory life sentence for the murder charge, ensuring that Lewinski will spend the remainder of his life in prison.
Prosecutors said the crime began in December 2020, when Lewinski strangled his former girlfriend to death inside his residence. After killing her, he allegedly left her body in a bathtub inside the home. Rather than reporting the death or contacting authorities, prosecutors said he continued living in the residence with the victim’s body for an extended period.
As weeks turned into months, investigators said Lewinski moved the victim’s remains from the bathroom to the basement of the home. According to prosecutors, he then began removing portions of the remains over time in an effort to conceal the killing and dispose of evidence. Authorities described the prolonged concealment and mutilation of the body as a calculated attempt to hide the homicide.
The case came to light only after Lewinski began displaying unusual behavior. According to court documents obtained by People, he was seen wandering around his apartment complex wearing only his underwear, prompting concerns for his well-being. He was subsequently hospitalized for evaluation.
While Lewinski was in the hospital, members of his family entered his residence to check on the property. During their visit, they made the horrifying discovery of the victim’s remains in the basement and immediately alerted law enforcement. Police responded to the scene, secured the residence, and launched a homicide investigation.
The investigation uncovered evidence that prosecutors said established Lewinski’s responsibility for the murder and his months-long efforts to conceal the victim’s death. Following a trial, a jury convicted him on all major charges, including premeditated murder and abuse of the victim’s remains.
With the life sentence now imposed, prosecutors said the conviction delivers justice for the victim and her loved ones after years of legal proceedings. The case remains one of the most disturbing homicide investigations handled in Macomb County, highlighting the devastating consequences of domestic violence and the extensive efforts investigators undertook to uncover the truth.
