An Owensboro man has pleaded guilty to murdering his estranged wife in 2021, accepting a plea agreement that calls for a 24-year prison sentence.
Joshua Fuller pleaded guilty to killing Hannah Fuller after felony mediation that lasted more than 5 hours on Tuesday, with Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Van Meter saying the victim’s family approved the agreement.
Fuller pleaded guilty as charged to one count of murder and one count of tampering with physical evidence. Under the agreement, he will receive a 24-year sentence on the murder conviction and a concurrent 5-year sentence on the tampering conviction. Van Meter said Fuller is not eligible for probation and must serve 20 years before becoming eligible for parole. Official sentencing is scheduled for August 11 at 1 p.m.
The case stems from the Aug. 26, 2021, death of 23-year-old Hannah Fuller at a residence in the 4400 block of West 5th Street Road.
According to Kentucky State Police, troopers responded after the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance with a death investigation. Investigators found Hannah Fuller deceased inside the home with an apparent gunshot wound. An autopsy later confirmed her identity.
Joshua Fuller, now 41, was arrested Sept. 13, 2021, and charged with murder involving domestic violence and tampering with physical evidence.
The case experienced multiple delays, including multiple trial dates that were continued while attorneys changed and additional discovery was exchanged. In May, the court approved a request to refer the case to the felony mediation program, which ultimately resulted in Tuesday’s plea agreement.
