Clinton Township, Michigan — A Michigan man has been convicted of first-degree murder after prosecutors said he strangled his ex-girlfriend inside their former shared condo and lived with her remains hidden in the basement for months before the gruesome discovery was made.
The disturbing case involving 42-year-old Matthew Lewinski and his former girlfriend, Courtney “Jerri” Winters, shocked the local community after horrifying details emerged during trial proceedings.
Prosecutors Say Argument Turned Deadly
According to prosecutors, the killing happened in December 2020, about a month after the couple had ended their relationship.
Investigators said Winters visited Lewinski at the Clinton Township condo they once shared. During the visit, she reportedly told him she had undergone an abortion.
Authorities said Winters sat in an armchair while Lewinski prepared tea in the kitchen. What began as a conversation allegedly escalated into a heated verbal dispute before turning violent.
Prosecutors claimed Winters bit Lewinski during the confrontation, after which he strangled her until she became unresponsive.
The prosecution later argued that the act itself showed clear intent and deliberation.
“This is conscious… five minutes of conscious thought to squeeze the life out of someone. It wasn’t a ‘pull-out-a-gun and shooting’ in two seconds.”
Remains Hidden in Basement for Months
Following the killing, prosecutors said Lewinski moved Winters’ remains into the basement of the condo, where they remained undiscovered for nearly seven months.
The shocking discovery was eventually made in July 2021, after Lewinski had been hospitalized.
According to testimony from Lewinski’s sister, Debra Federico, she had not been in close contact with her brother for years but monitored the condo because it belonged to their father.
Federico testified that the condo association contacted her after noticing lights left on in the unit while no one appeared to be home.
While Lewinski was in the hospital, Federico and family members entered the condo looking for a ceramic Christmas decoration.
Instead, they discovered human remains hidden in the basement.
Police Describe Disturbing Crime Scene
After the family contacted police, investigators confirmed the remains belonged to a woman later identified as Winters.
Court testimony revealed disturbing details about the condition of the body.
Authorities said the decomposing remains were found nude and lying face down in the basement. Investigators also stated that portions of skin appeared to have been removed.
A detective testified that officers discovered blood inside the basement along with bleach bottles, rubber gloves and a knife.
The scene immediately launched a homicide investigation.
Defendant Allegedly Confessed
According to reports, Lewinski later confessed to the killing after police interviewed him at the hospital.
Investigators said he claimed Winters had “egged” him on before the deadly altercation.
During the trial, Lewinski’s defense team argued he had experienced “intimate partner violence” from Winters and claimed he snapped emotionally during the confrontation.
Woman Trying to Escape Boyfriend is Gunned Down After Strangers Stop to Help, Prosecutors Say
The defense also referenced Winters’ past arrests and strained family relationships while attempting to portray her as the aggressor in the relationship.
However, prosecutors pushed back strongly against those claims, presenting witnesses who testified that Lewinski was typically the controlling figure in the relationship.
Guilty Verdict and Life Sentence Possible
After hearing the evidence, a jury found Lewinski guilty of first-degree murder, mutilation of a body and concealing a body.
He now faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison.
Court records show his sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 14.
The case has drawn widespread attention due to the horrifying details surrounding the killing and the months-long concealment of the victim’s remains.
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