The Northeast Philly man accused of killing his wife then reporting her missing in an attempt to cover up the crime pleaded guilty to murder Tuesday.
Christopher Murray, 48, will face 20 to 40 years in prison to avoid a trial at which, if he was found guilty, he could have been sentenced to life.
Murray confessed to strangling 46-year-old Connie Murray in August after police pressed him over aspects of his story that didn’t add up.
Connie Murray’s body was found behind two benches by a woman walking her dog on the 3000 block of Holme Avenue, in Pennypack Park on Aug. 6. She had gone to the park to jog around 9 p.m. on Aug. 5. Christopher Murray reported her missing at 2 a.m.
After his wife went missing, Christopher began checking with police stations and hospitals, rather than with friends, neighbors or family members, which raised a red flag to detectives.
Investigators at the time referred to his behavior as the “concerned husband show.”
Surveillance video showed Connie power-walking outside Pennypack Park when a silver Ford Taurus pulled up alongside her and she popped her head in the window before walking away from the car.
That vehicle matched the description of Christopher’s car.
Police believe the couple argued inside the park, when Christopher strangled her.
Investigators say the couple had been experiencing ongoing domestic discord.
Guilty plea for husband who killed, reported wife missing
