NARRATOR: Next, we're in West Palm Beach,
Florida, for the sentencing of David Anthony.
The 44-year-old claims the COVID-19 pandemic, in part,
pushed him over the edge and into a violent downward spiral.
NARRATOR: In March 2020, David Anthony
tried to convince his estranged wife, Gretchen,
to travel with him to Costa Rica, where he believed
they could escape the pandemic.
The couple had been separated after five years of marriage.
Gretchen declined, but a few days later, friends and family
believed she went missing.
Police went to her home, but there was no sign of her.
That's when investigators put in a call to David Anthony.
NARRATOR: Anthony claimed Gretchen wasn't missing,
but that she was receiving medical attention
at a CDC facility.
NARRATOR: Unsatisfied with Anthony's explanation
of Gretchen's whereabouts, the investigation continued,
and then a breakthrough.
In surveillance footage recovered from Gretchen's home,
a dark figure can be seen lurking on her patio.
Moments later, out of the camera's view,
Gretchen makes a muffled cry for help.
NARRATOR: Then what's done in the darkness comes to light.
In the garage, a man wearing rubber gloves
can be seen loading items into Gretchen's car.
His back remains to the camera right until this moment.
Investigators pull this freeze frame.
It is David Anthony, and authorities believe he's just
murdered his estranged wife.
[sirens]
Hands out the vehicle.
NARRATOR: Days later, police track Anthony,
who had skipped town to Las Cruces, New Mexico,
and make an arrest.
Am I being detained?
OFFICER: You're detained right now, yeah.
All right.
OFFICER: Watch out.
OFFICER: There's a warrant for your arrest,
and I'm going to explain that when we get back to the--
For what?
OFFICER: Excuse me?
OFFICER: Homicide.
OFFICER: Who do you think?
NARRATOR: David Anthony was charged with the kidnapping
and first-degree murder of Gretchen Anthony,
but investigators were still searching for her body.
NARRATOR: Anthony denied involvement
in Gretchen's murder right up until prosecutors
offered him a plea agreement.
In exchange for disclosing the location of Gretchen's body,
the state would lower his charge from first
to second-degree murder, which would
take the possibility of the death penalty off the table.
Anthony agreed to the conditions and immediately changed
his tune, admitting he dumped Gretchen's body
in a wooded area near her home after stabbing
her to death inside her garage.
Police investigated the location and found Gretchen's remains.
Now, at sentencing, Gretchen's sister
faces down David Anthony.
I would like to say some words to the defendant,
whose name and being are not worthy of the air we all
breathe.
You are a monster.
One thing is definite, Gretchen believed in karma.
And therefore, we can take some comfort knowing
that every day you spend in prison
will be as horrific as the murder you committed.
You can never be forgiven.
You are disgusting.
NARRATOR: Before the judge delivers his sentence,
Anthony addresses the court.
I disgraced my family.
I'm hated by some beyond words, and I
brought shame upon my name.
Instead of being a man, I chose to be a coward.
NARRATOR: The terms of Anthony's sentence
were determined at the time of his plea agreement
and confirmed by Judge Kirk Volker.
NARRATOR: David Anthony was sentenced to 38 years in prison
after pleading guilty to the second-degree murder and
kidnapping of Gretchen Anthony.
He'll be eligible for release when he's 81 years old.