- Laura Hughes was a 50 year old mother of two identified by her distinctive tattoos.
- Christopher Blevins strangled Hughes and stuffed her body in a refrigerator.
- He dumped the fridge in Belleplain State Forest before fleeing to Mexico.
- Blevins received a 17 year sentence for aggravated manslaughter under a plea deal.
A man from New Jersey has been given a 17-year prison sentence for the death of his girlfriend, Laura Hughes, whose remains were found concealed inside a refrigerator deep in a state forest. Christopher Blevins, now aged 46, pleaded guilty to aggravated manslaughter in a case that included a nationwide manhunt and an odd attempt to escape to Mexico.
The tragic discovery on December 22, 2024, concluded a mystery that had plagued investigators for months, ultimately providing answers for the grieving family of the victim.
Who Was Laura Hughes? The Victim and Mother of Two
Laura Hughes was a 50-year-old woman from Runnemede, New Jersey, remembered as a caring mother to her two daughters. When her remains were discovered, investigators used her unique tattoos, including a koi fish on her shoulder blade and a rose on her ribs, along with personal belongings like a silver necklace and a yoga mat, to identify her.
Her family referred to her loss as a heartbreaking tragedy, with her teenage daughter being labeled a “secondary victim” in court due to the enduring trauma from the crime.
How Did Christopher Blevins Kill Laura Hughes? The Strangulation Details
Christopher Blevins murdered Laura Hughes by strangling her, a brutal act that initially led to a first-degree murder charge, which was later reduced as part of a plea deal. Prosecutors explained that the couple’s relationship was troubled, characterized by a history of domestic disputes and challenges with drugs and alcohol.
During his sentencing, Blevins asserted that he did not mean to kill her, expressing regret and wishing he had simply left rather than allowing the deadly confrontation to happen.
What Happened After the Murder? Body Hidden in Refrigerator in Belleplain State Forest
After the murder on July 24, 2024, Blevins placed Laura Hughes’s body into a refrigerator and loaded it into the bed of his green Dodge Ram pickup truck.
He then drove around 55 miles to the secluded Belleplain State Forest in Cape May County, where he tried to bury the evidence by wrapping the refrigerator in a sleeping bag and securing it with blue straps and a carpet. A hiker in the vicinity found the horrifying scene on December 22, prompting police to investigate.
Why Did Christopher Blevins Flee to Mexico? The Manhunt and Arrest
Shortly after discarding the body in early August 2024, Christopher Blevins escaped to Mexico, initiating a multi-week manhunt. He ultimately turned himself in to authorities in Mexico City on August 27, where he bizarrely confessed to local police that he “might have killed someone in a bar fight.”
Blevins was later arrested in San Diego upon his return from Mexico, facing charges and awaiting extradition back to New Jersey to confront his crimes.
Christopher Blevins Sentencing: 17 Years for Aggravated Manslaughter Explained
On Friday, Christopher Blevins received a 17-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter. This charge was lowered from the original first-degree murder accusation through a deal with prosecutors. The sentence mandates he serve 85 percent of his term before becoming eligible for parole, pursuant to New Jersey’s No Early Release Act.
While her murderer is now incarcerated, Laura Hughes’s family continues their healing process, with a GoFundMe set up to assist with her cremation, a memorial tree, and educational expenses for her two daughters.
Last Updated on March 9, 2026 by 247 News Around The World
