DELAND, Fla., July 18 (UPI) -- A Florida man who pleaded no contest this week to the murder of his girlfriend faces a longer prison sentence because her body has not been found.
Under his agreement with prosecutors in Volusia County, Michael Annicchiarico, 36, was allowed to enter a plea to second-degree murder. The plea bargain called for a sentence of 15 to 50 years if Mandy Ciehanoski's remains were discovered with Annicchiarico's help and 25 years to life if not.
After Annicchiarico guided investigators to an area in southern Flagler County near Ormond Beach, a three-day search began. It ended Wednesday, and Gary Davis, a spokesman for the Volusia County sheriff, said investigators will now try to determine if other places should be examined.
Ciehanoski, 34, of Holly Hill, vanished in February 2011. Authorities said they had evidence linking Annicchiarico to her killing, even without the body, including blood found in his truck and a bloody sheet in his apartment.
"The family was consulted and agreed to the plea and possible sentence," the State Attorney's Office said in a statement. "Their desire to locate Mandy's body was of utmost importance to them."
