Richardson man gets 50 years in prison for killing girlfriend

A Collin County jury found a Richardson man guilty of murdering his girlfriend.

Jessie Bardwell's family reported her missing in May 2016. Her remains were found days later. Her boyfriend, Jason Lowe, was charged with her murder.

Lowe testified during the trial, but the jury didn't buy his story about how he claims she died.

The jury reached the guilty verdict around 3 p.m. Wednesday. The judge then waived the jury and sentenced Lowe to 50 years in prison, the maximum sentence he could've received since he helped police find Bardwell's body,

Lowe hung his head as the verdict was read. Prosecutors say he killed his 27-year-old girlfriend and then hid her body in a field in Farmersville.

Bardwell’s family in Mississippi reported her missing after she had failed to call for Mother's Day, which they say was not like her.

Lowe testified that Bardwell's death was an accident. He said they had taken drugs and were in the shower when he slipped and pushed her. He said they should have called 911, but they took a nap instead and she never woke up.

But prosecutors said Lowe took 16 months to share his story. They argued it was murder, not an accident.

Lowe admitted to taking her body to a field and dumping it. When asked why he did not tell her family, he said he was scared.

Lowe will have the possibility of parole.

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