A man has been sentenced to 65 years in prison for the brutal murder of a woman in Delaware four years ago. Leonard Buddy Church, 43, received his sentence on Wednesday after pleading guilty to killing Jennifer Leyanna, according to the Delaware News Journal.
Leyanna, 41, was last seen on October 9, 2020. Her remains were discovered in February 2022, over a year after she was reported missing by her mother.
During the investigation, Delaware State Police DSP learned that Leyanna was last seen at Church’s home. There, Church restrained, beat, and tortured her on his 40th birthday, with help from Esther Wright, who assisted in the crime. They buried Leyanna’s body in Church’s backyard.
The motive for the murder was reportedly a belief by Church, fueled by drugs, that Leyanna had stolen his wallet. Court records revealed that Leyanna suffered multiple injuries, including broken ribs and a broken neck bone.
Leyanna’s family was devastated by her disappearance. Her daughter, Natalie, shared that her mother’s absence on her 20th birthday was the first time she missed it, sparking deep concern.
After months of investigation, a witness came forward with information about where Leyanna’s body was buried, leading to the arrests of Church and Wright.
Church was charged with first-degree murder and sentenced to 65 years in prison, with a suspended sentence of 90 years. Wright was sentenced to 25 years for her role in the crime. Judge Green-Streett described the murder as wicked, depraved, torturous, and excessively cruel.
