Woman shot boyfriend to death, chopped up body and spread the parts across 2 counties

Left: Michelina Goodwin. Right: James Nalborczyk (Maryland State Police).

A Maryland judge sentenced a woman to 61 years in prison for murdering and dismembering her boyfriend, prosecutors say.

Following an eight-day trial, a St. Mary’s County jury in March convicted 46-year-old Michelina Desiree Goodwin of second-degree murder , use of a firearm in the commission of a felony and the unauthorized disposal of a body in the death of James Volodimir Nalborczyk, 50. The judge imposed the maximum sentence possible, according to State’s Attorney Jaymi Sterling.

“The defendant’s heinous act of shooting the victim in the back pales in comparison to the gruesome details following the murder. After killing the victim, the defendant dismembered him, and scattered his remains throughout our county and a neighboring county,” Sterling said in a statement.

Nalborczyk’s family reported him missing to the Maryland State Police on Dec. 21, 2022. Cops determined that he hadn’t been seen or heard from in 10 days. Further investigation determined foul play was involved in his disappearance, police said .

Troopers discovered body parts throughout St. Mary’s County and nearby Charles County. Police arrested Goodwin for murder. Larry Murphy, 42, was also arrested in mid-January 2023 for murder and accessory after the fact.

According to a probable cause arrest affidavit obtained by Southern Maryland News , Goodwin told Nalborczyk’s family that she last saw him in early December 2022 when she was planning on breaking up with him before he took off for Virginia in a company vehicle. But she later told cops that she and Nalborczyk were having an argument when she pointed a gun at him, the affidavit reportedly said. It went off and hit him in the back, killing him.

She then reportedly enlisted Murphy’s help to chop up Nalborczyk’s body and dispose of the parts. Murphy denied his involvement. He was eventually indicted for accessory after the fact and sentenced to one year in jail after a jury found him guilty of the charge last year, records show.

“My hope is that with the outcome of today’s sentencing hearing, the victim’s family can finally find peace, justice, healing, and closure after the horrifying homicide of their beloved family member,” Sterling said.

Nalborczyk’s obituary said he worked for several years as an HVAC technician.

“The last few years Jimmy has worked odd jobs helping everyone around him and is remembered by many working at the St. Mary’s farmer’s market. He never stopped working and trying to help others. Jimmy will be deeply missed by his family and all who knew him,” the obituary said.

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