Sullivan pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and concealing a body on September 3, 2024, thereby eliminating the need for a trial. However, the prosecution and the victim’s family made poignant statements to the judge prior to Sullivan’s sentencing, aiming to shed light on the gravity of his actions and the impact on Leagans’ loved ones, reinforcing the need for justice in this tragic case.

The prosecutor labeled Sullivan as a “convicted liar” and “predator,” according to reports by NBC affiliate KPNX. They highlighted that other women whom Sullivan had allegedly victimized expressed their willingness to travel from out of state to testify against him in a murder trial, emphasizing the extent of his criminal behavior and the fear he instilled in his victims.

Leagans’ family also voiced their concerns during the sentencing, characterizing Sullivan as a “repeat offender.” They referenced allegations of his criminal history, which involved exploiting the trust of others, as reported by KPNX, thus painting a clear picture of a man who posed a constant threat to those around him.

The victim’s family reminded the judge of the brutal treatment Amy endured, describing how Sullivan had desecrated her remains. They likened his actions to the manner a butcher handles livestock, expressing their outrage by stating, “He deemed her trash to be dumped in the Arizona desert,” as one of Leagans’ sisters conveyed to the judge, emphasizing the inhumanity of his actions.

KPNX also reported that before Leagans’ tragic death, Sullivan was under probation for aggravated assault. Upon his arrest, he indicated to police that his actions were “spontaneous and heinous in nature,” according to legal documents, which raises questions about his mental state and the circumstances surrounding the crime.

When handing down the sentence, the judge made a striking observation, labeling Sullivan a “danger to society” and stating he “treated [the victim] like trash,” which underscored the seriousness of his crime and the need for incapacitation to protect the community from future harm.

Sullivan received a sentence of 25 years for the murder charge, along with an additional six-and-a-half years for concealing her remains. These sentences are to be served consecutively, ensuring that he will face significant time behind bars for his brutal actions.

“What that man did to my sister, what he did in this judicial system, his manipulations, his lies, is excruciating,” Leagans’ sister Lori Porth shared with KPNX after the sentencing, highlighting the emotional toll that this case has taken on the victim’s family.

“He can’t harm anyone else, and that at least helps me find some form of peace,” added her other sister, Christa Holton, reflecting on the relief that comes with justice, even amidst their grief.

Amy Leagans was reported missing on October 27, 2020, after her mother had not heard from her for an extended period. A thorough investigation revealed that the last sighting of her alive was on October 14. This timeline raised alarms about her safety and prompted immediate action from law enforcement.

Leagans had recently relocated to Arizona from Illinois in June or July of that year, as reported by KSAZ. Her new living situation included sharing an apartment with Timothy Sullivan in Chandler. Reports from KPNX indicated that there was a relationship between Leagans and Sullivan, complicating the investigation and raising concerns about potential domestic issues.

Due to Sullivan’s concerning history of domestic violence offenses, police quickly developed a suspicion regarding his involvement in her disappearance, even though they were no longer cohabiting. This background heightened the urgency of the investigation.

The breakthrough in the case emerged when investigators attempted to contact Sullivan at his latest address and discovered his vehicle parked there. This led to further scrutiny and evidence collection, heightening the intensity of the investigation.

Upon searching Sullivan’s residence, investigators discovered a bottle of bleach, latex gloves, a scrub brush, mattress sheets, pillowcases, and a duffle bag, according to reports. This prompted the issuance of a search warrant on November 11, 2020, revealing an area in the yard that had been raked and lightly covered with mulch, which raised further suspicions and led to deeper investigation.

“This area was unearthed, and pieces of burned clothes, human hair, a bracelet, and a size 6 tag for women’s clothing were recovered,” police reported in court documents. Many of the items uncovered were found to emit an odor similar to lighter fluid, which indicated possible foul play and further complicated the case.

Law enforcement also detailed the discovery of human blood at various locations, including Leagans’ mattress inside her apartment, the back seat of her vehicle, and a pillow found in Sullivan’s car, which pointed to a violent confrontation that had taken place.

Just six days later, investigators found the remains of a human torso near the Salt River. “The body was that of an almost skeletonized female, found inside a black plastic bag and covered with mulch,” the investigators stated in court documents. The remains showed signs of trauma and had been dismembered, indicating a horrific crime.

On November 19, just two days after the torso was discovered, the remains were positively identified as belonging to Leagans. Subsequently, police apprehended Sullivan on November 25, marking a significant turn in the investigation and bringing some closure to the ongoing search for justice.

Early in their investigation, police uncovered a report from September 2020, where Amy Leagans claimed that Timothy Sullivan had physically assaulted her during an argument. However, the report indicated no evidence of an altercation took place, and “no enforcement was taken” at that time, highlighting a troubling pattern of domestic violence that went unaddressed.

After Leagans’ disappearance, authorities located Sullivan at the residence of an ex-girlfriend in Scottsdale. This woman informed officers, according to AZ Family, that she had a “troubled relationship” with Sullivan, adding context to his volatile behavior and raising further concerns about his potential involvement in the case.

The unidentified woman also recounted a recent altercation with Sullivan, during which he allegedly strangled her and threatened to “bury me in the backyard like Amy.” Such chilling statements painted a vivid picture of Sullivan’s violent tendencies and his capacity for harm.

According to court documents, after his arrest concerning Leagans’ disappearance—and eventual murder—Sullivan was read his Miranda Rights. He subsequently confessed to killing her, providing a shocking insight into the tragedy that unfolded behind closed doors.

He informed investigators that during an argument at Leagans’ home, he “snapped” and “choked the victim until she stopped breathing.” This confession unveiled the horrifying reality of domestic violence and its devastating outcomes.

Afterward, he left her body unattended in the apartment for two days. Eventually, Sullivan returned, wrapped her body in a tarp, and buried it in the backyard, demonstrating a disturbing lack of remorse and a premeditated effort to conceal his crime.

He later confessed that when he became “worried,” he exhumed her body. It was then that he made the harrowing decision to dismember her remains using an ax, admitting to placing different limbs in trash receptacles across the East Valley and discarding her torso in the desert, where it was ultimately recovered—the details of which are both chilling and tragic.