Man Gets 20-Year Prison Term For Strangling Ex-Girlfriend

VINELAND, N.J. (AP) — A southern New Jersey man who strangled his ex-girlfriend has been sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Ismael Pierce apologized to Britton Loyden's family during his sentencing on Friday. He had pleaded guilty in June to aggravated manslaughter in the death of the 23-year-old Vineland resident, whose body was found in her home in February 2012.

Loyden's body was discovered one day after she and the couple's 1-year-old son were reported missing by her mother. Vineland police later determined the child was unharmed and with Pierce.

Authorities have said Pierce left Britton's body in her house — which was still filled with balloons and birthday gifts from her recent birthday party — for more than a day and used her car to drive around.