FINDLAY, OH (WTOL) - Daniel Bixler has been sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for the murder of Vera Jo Reigle in Hancock County. He will be eligible for parole after 40 years.
This week marked the one-year anniversary of Reigle's brutal death. Reigle's mother said what Bixler did was destructive.
"He has messed up my life and my family's life so bad. I mean, we miss her every day," said Verna Messersmith.
Dozens packed the courtroom Wednesday as Bixler received his sentence.
"I'm happy about what he got because he deserves it. If he hadn't murdered my daughter, he'd never been in this fix," said Messersmith.
Reigle's sister, Ashley Messersmith, gathered the strength to face Bixler in court.
"I want answers why you murdered my sister. You are a monster," said Messersmith.
Reigle's 2-year-old daughter will know how much her mother loved her after police found a never-before-seen letter in her purse.
"I love you Willadeen. You are a good little baby girl to us. I'm glad to be your mommy and I'm glad that I had you on Nov. 4 at 4:16 a.m. Six pounds, two ounces, 19 inches long. Mommy loves you," read Alex Treece, prosecuting attorney.
Bixler responded, "I deeply apologize for my actions. I allowed drugs and alcohol and other individuals to lead me into doing these actions."
His apology is not enough for the family, although they do feel justice has been served.
"I ain't ever gonna forgive him. I don't care if he says he's sorry," said Reigle's mother.
Bixler pleaded guilty earlier this year to aggravated murder. Bixler said he and his girlfriend Nicole Peters, 17, planned Reigle's murder. They walked with her to some railroad tracks where Bixler stabbed her to death.
A relative told WTOL that Reigle had been beaten for most of the day on the day of her death.
Peters also faces charges in the death and is serving a sentence of 23 years for her involvement.
- Second suspect charged with murder of Findlay woman pleads guilty
- Daniel Bixler pleads guilty to murder of Vera Jo Reigle
- Daniel Bixler found competent to stand trial, charged with murder of Vera Jo Reigle
- Body of woman found on railroad tracks in Findlay
- Mother of murdered Findlay woman speaks out
- Murder suspect to face a Findlay judge
