Overview
- An Essex County jury found Bruce Maiben, 48, guilty of first-degree murder on Monday, and Judge Thomas Drechsler imposed a life-without-parole sentence on Wednesday.
- Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker said the outcome ensures accountability for Maiben and expressed hope it brings some comfort to Pringle’s loved ones.
- Sherell Pringle, 40, was reported missing after a December 18, 2021 date with Maiben; relatives using phone-location data and a found purse discovered her body in Rumney Marsh off Route 107 in Saugus two days later.
- Investigators initially arrested Maiben on larceny, evidence tampering, and obstruction charges before later pursuing a murder charge, to which he had pleaded not guilty.
- Pretrial records cited texts that Pringle intended to end the relationship after an alleged break-in and knife threat, a narrative the defense disputed, and at sentencing her mother said the attack involved more than 200 stab wounds and required a closed-casket funeral.