New York Man Sentenced to 25 Years to Life for Brutal Murder of Pregnant Estranged Wife Over Baby's Health Insurance
Jan 27, 12:00 AM
Nassau County Supreme Court Judge Robert A. McDonald has handed down a 25-years-to-life sentence to 30-year-old Michael Owen for the 2020 slaying of his estranged wife, 27-year-old Kelly Owen, who was pregnant at the time. The verdict came after a Nassau County jury convicted Owen on one count of second-degree murder in July 2023.
Authorities revealed that Michael and Kelly Owen, who had married in 2013 and separated in March 2018, continued a physical relationship. However, their interactions turned violent, leading to their eventual separation. The situation escalated when Kelly informed Michael about her pregnancy with their second child.
Facing financial troubles and involved in a new relationship, Michael Owen expressed his reluctance to have another child and, specifically, did not want to bear the financial burden of the new baby's medical insurance. Determined to avoid these responsibilities, he drove to Kelly's apartment on January 15, 2020, with the intention of killing her.
Kelly Owen, a nursing student and mother to a 6-year-old son shared with Michael, was found dead in her Farmingdale apartment later that day. The autopsy revealed that she had been strangled to death with a "rope-like object" and was in the early stages of pregnancy.
Nassau police Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick stated, "He did not want this child. He did not want to give her medical insurance. He had this new relationship he was involved in, and he was in a bad position."
Surveillance footage placed Michael Owen in the victim's neighborhood around the time of her death, where he had deliberately made his cellphone location undetectable. Despite attempts to conceal his presence, authorities recovered Owen's DNA from the area around the victim's neck.
Following his arrest later that month, Michael Owen faced charges of murder, and the recent sentencing ensures he will spend 25 years to life in a state correctional facility. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly expressed sympathy for Kelly's family, stating, "Michael Owen stole those dreams, and now he will pay for his crimes in prison. Our thoughts remain with Kelly’s family as they continue to mourn her loss."
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Authorities revealed that Michael and Kelly Owen, who had married in 2013 and separated in March 2018, continued a physical relationship. However, their interactions turned violent, leading to their eventual separation. The situation escalated when Kelly informed Michael about her pregnancy with their second child.
Facing financial troubles and involved in a new relationship, Michael Owen expressed his reluctance to have another child and, specifically, did not want to bear the financial burden of the new baby's medical insurance. Determined to avoid these responsibilities, he drove to Kelly's apartment on January 15, 2020, with the intention of killing her.
Kelly Owen, a nursing student and mother to a 6-year-old son shared with Michael, was found dead in her Farmingdale apartment later that day. The autopsy revealed that she had been strangled to death with a "rope-like object" and was in the early stages of pregnancy.
Nassau police Det. Lt. Stephen Fitzpatrick stated, "He did not want this child. He did not want to give her medical insurance. He had this new relationship he was involved in, and he was in a bad position."
Surveillance footage placed Michael Owen in the victim's neighborhood around the time of her death, where he had deliberately made his cellphone location undetectable. Despite attempts to conceal his presence, authorities recovered Owen's DNA from the area around the victim's neck.
Following his arrest later that month, Michael Owen faced charges of murder, and the recent sentencing ensures he will spend 25 years to life in a state correctional facility. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly expressed sympathy for Kelly's family, stating, "Michael Owen stole those dreams, and now he will pay for his crimes in prison. Our thoughts remain with Kelly’s family as they continue to mourn her loss."
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com