A Pennsylvania man has been sentenced to life in prison for the brutal murder of his girlfriend, Jessica Zipkin. Michael Carey Jr., 47, was convicted of first-degree murder and possessing an instrument of crime after killing 34-year-old Zipkin with a hammer last November. A Montgomery County jury took just an hour and a half to find Carey guilty, and he received the mandatory sentence of life without parole for first-degree murder.
Details of the Murder and Attempted Cover-Up
On the afternoon of November 1, 2023, Carey killed Zipkin at their shared home in Perkiomen Township. Police say he struck her over 20 times in the head with a hammer. However, Carey waited ten hours before reporting her death. During this time, he attempted to conceal the crime by showering, changing clothes, and discarding evidence, including clothing, in a trash can at a nearby restaurant.
At around 1 a.m. on November 2, Carey informed the building owner about the dead woman in his apartment. Police arrived to find Zipkin lying face down on the bedroom floor, having suffered a fatal head wound. An autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, with homicide being the manner of death.
Grisly Details and Investigation
Prosecutors described the killing as grisly and noted that the hammer strikes were so powerful that Zipkin’s brain was “partially liquefied.” Neighbors reported hearing a woman’s screams shortly before Carey was seen disposing of evidence. In a recorded jail phone call weeks later, Carey nonchalantly remarked, “I heard her take her last breath … it is what it is.”
Defense and Sentencing
Carey’s defense attorneys argued that he was under the influence of drugs, including methamphetamine, which allegedly impaired his ability to plan the attack. However, the jury found Carey guilty, and Judge Wendy Rothstein condemned his actions in court, stating, “There’s no justification for that conduct. The brutality, it’s just hard to even describe.”
Victim’s Family and Final Words
Jessica Zipkin is survived by her sister, parents, and several nephews. In the aftermath of her death, her family continues to mourn the loss of a loved one whose life was taken in such a horrific manner.
