Gregory Groom, 23, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and witness intimidation as part of a plea agreement. For the murder charge, he received a life sentence with parole eligibility after 25 years. He was given an additional 3 to 5 years for intimidating a witness, a charge stemming from misleading police during the investigation.

"Additional time for misleading the police," Bristol County District Attorney Thomas Quinn said, explaining the witness intimidation sentence.

The plea deal reduced the original first-degree murder charge to second-degree murder. Quinn said he considered Groom's age, his education, and the fact that he had no prior criminal record when accepting the agreement.

Monteiro was 11 weeks pregnant with Groom's child when she was killed last summer. Groom initially reported her missing, prompting a two-week search. He later told police where to find her body and confessed to stabbing her. Monteiro's body was found buried on Groom's property.

"We got a sentence today which we all have to learn to accept," said Faith Monteiro, Kylee's older sister, speaking outside the courthouse.

Groom's grandmother spoke publicly for the first time since the killing. "We didn't get calls saying she was being beaten; we had no idea of any of this," she said. "I'm shocked, I can't believe it's happened."

Faith Monteiro said the family will now focus on processing, healing, and moving forward. "I don't think any life is worth a deal, but I just hope he uses his second chance, if and when he ever gets out, to be a better person," she said.

The case has drawn attention to the circumstances surrounding Monteiro's death and the plea agreement that spared Groom a first-degree murder trial. Under the sentence, Groom will be eligible for parole in 25 years.