Two sentenced in Kent County murder case

DOVER — Two persons have been sentenced in connection with a 2020 missing person investigation turned murder case that crossed state lines, the Delaware Department of Justice announced Wednesday.

On Aug. 28, according to a news release, Leonard Church of Henderson, Maryland and Esther Wright (also known as Esther Hurtado-Chavez), of Clayton were sentenced in Kent County Superior Court.

Church, 43, was sentenced to 90 years of prison, suspended after 65 years, and followed by three years of descending levels of probation for second-degree murder.

Wright, 41, was sentenced to 30 years in prison, suspended after 25 years, and followed by three years of descending levels of probation for convictions of first-degree kidnapping and first-degree conspiracy.

The sentences follow an investigation into the disappearance of 41-year-old Jennifer Leyanna of Felton, according to the DOJ.

“These defendants displayed a level of cruelty that is profoundly disturbing,” said Attorney General Kathy Jennings in the release.

“I am grateful that they have been brought to justice at long last, thanks to the persistence and teamwork of our DOJ team and a great many partners, both within law enforcement and without, who remained undaunted throughout this lengthy and challenging investigation.”

According to the DOJ, investigation determined that on Oct. 9, 2020, Leonard Church beat, bound, suffocated, and ultimately killed Ms. Leyanna at the Hartly residence based on a minor dispute over property. Wright was present during the murder and assisted with binding Ms. Leyanna, the DOJ said.

The DOJ said Church, along with Wright, then transported Ms. Leyanna’s body to the Henderson property, which belonged to one of Church’s family members. Church then buried Ms. Leyanna’s remains with Wright present, the DOJ said.