Man who decapitated newlywed wife sentenced to 40 years in Texas prison

A judge in Texas sentenced a man to four decades in prison for decapitating his newlywed bride last year.

District Court Judge Gary Chaney sentenced 23-year-old Jared James Dicus to 40 years behind bars after he pleaded guilty to brutally murdering his wife, Anggy Diaz, last year, The Waller County District Attorney's Office reported.

The couple married in October 2022, officials said.

According to the Waller County Sheriff's Office, on the day of the Jan. 11, 2023 killing, Discus’ parents called 911 to report a death on their property in a small cabin behind their home near Magnolia, a city about 45 miles northwest of downtown Houston.

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Anggy Diaz decapitated and dismembered

Arriving deputies reported they found Diaz dead and decapitated and dismembered in the cabin, officials said.

Dicus was detained at the scene, according to the release. When detectives arrived, officials wrote in a release, Discus admitted he killed his wife.

He was booked into the local jail, and the sheriff's office reported they arrested him on a murder charge in his wife's killing.

A motive in the killing was not released by police but prosecutors said during the pre-trial phase of the case, "potential mental health issues were raised regarding the Defendant’s competency to stand trial."

But after a court-ordered examination for competency Discus was deemed competent.

Jared Discus not eligible for parole until 2043

Due to the aggravated nature of the offense, prosecutors said Dicus is not eligible for parole until 2043 at the earliest.

“Waller County does not tolerate domestic violence," Waller County Criminal District Attorney Sean Whittmore said in a statement. "Heinous crimes like this one will not go unanswered, we will seek justice for the victims of domestic violence and send a message to the perpetrators that here, we fight for our victims."

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.