(Council Bluffs, Iowa; WOWT-TV) [Updated] – Judge in Pottawattamie County has sentenced a Council Bluffs man to a total of 45-years prison – the maximum allowed by law –  in connection with the murder of a Council Bluffs woman.  45-year-old Justin Sickler was originally charged with 1^st Degree Murder, Abuse of a Corpse, and Theft in the 3^rd Degree, in the death of 28-year-old Brianne McIntosh. Instead, he pled guilty to Willful Injury resulting in serious harm, abuse of a corpse, and 1st Degree Robbery..

WOWT-TV in Omaha reports District Court Judge Eric Nelson agreed with family members and friends of McIntosh, several of whom called Sickler “a monster” and who warned the court that he will re-offend if not put behind bars for a long time. Nelson told Sickler he presents a danger to society and has a long list of serious and violent offenses dating back to when Sickler was a teenager.

McIntosh’ body was found last February in Fremont County. She had suffered severe facial injuries that resulted in her death. McIntosh was first reported by a member of her family, as a missing person, in December, 2023.

Sickler was arrested last October following an investigation by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI).