BIG RAPIDS (WWJ) -- A young West Michigan man will spend the rest of his life in prison after he was convicted of the murder of a woman last year.
The Michigan Attorney General's Office announced Monday that 25-year-old Daykota Handrich of Big Rapids received a life-sentence without the possibility of parole for the slaying of Ashley Godfrey.
Following a four-day trial in November, a Mecosta County jury deliberated for less than five hours before they found Handrich guilty of First Degree Murder in November, according to the AG. He was then sentenced by Judge Kimberly Booher of the 49th Circuit Court in Mecosta County.
The body of Godfrey, 36, was discovered by officers with the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety as they were patrolling the White Pine Trail, near near Colburn Avenue, on June 3, 2022.
Daykota HandrichBig Rapids Department of Public Safety
Investigators determined that Godfrey, also of Big Rapids, had been strangled and beaten to death by Handrich in Big Rapids three days before her body was found.
Handrich was 23 years old at the time of the murder. Authorities said he and the victim were acquaintances.
Handrich was originally charged with open murder by the Mecosta County prosecutor in June of 2022. The Department of Attorney General took over the case in the spring.
"I would like to thank the Big Rapids Department of Public Safety, the Michigan State Police, and the Mecosta County Prosecutor's Office for their diligent investigative efforts and support during this prosecution," said Nessel in a statement at the time of Handrich's conviction. "I am grateful we were able to secure justice for the family and community mourning Ashley's death. My Department remains committed to assisting local prosecutors when we can with resource and time intensive prosecutions and trials."
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