A man who pleaded guilty to killing his wife, even though her body has never been found, was sentenced Monday to 44 years in prison.
Frank Schilt pleaded guilty May 7 to second-degree murder in the death of Teresa Schilt, 51, whose body was dumped in a trash bin but never found. He admitted that he killed her on Feb. 25, 2006.
Police conducted an extensive search of area landfills to no avail.
Schilt, 54, had been charged with first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder and attempted child abuse but those charges were dropped in exchange for the plea.
The last two charges were because prosecutors said he also tried to kill his then-15-year-old daughter, Melody, by pumping vehicle exhaust into her room at the family home in the 9500 block of West Chenango Avenue.
Schilt faced a maximum of 48 years in prison.
Staff writer Arthur Kane can be reached at 303-954-1244 or akane@denverpost.com.
