The murder investigation of 40-year-old Elizabeth Annette Carney reached Bradley County Criminal Court Monday where her husband, David Keith Daugherty, pleaded guilty to first-degree murder.
He was sentenced by Judge Carroll Ross to life in prison. Now 42 years old, Daugherty is eligible for parole in 51 years.
His case was scheduled for trial on Tuesday.
Family members and friends alerted the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office on July 12, 2011 after making repeated attempts to contact her. Deputies initially were dispatched on a missing person call to 1235 northeast 6th St., but before arriving a second 911 call was made to report Ms. Carney’s body had been found.
Daugherty was arrested in Bryson City, N.C., just over 24 hours later.
Detectives issued a first degree murder warrant in Bradley County and Daugherty waived extradition to return to Tennessee.
An autopsy ruled Ms. Carney’s death was due to strangulation.