Sullivan entered a guilty plea on September 3, 2024, admitting to charges of second-degree murder and concealing a body, thus eliminating the need for a lengthy trial. The prosecution’s arguments were compelling, as they addressed the judge prior to the sentencing, alongside the heartbroken family of the victim, who shared their grief and the impact of this brutal crime on their lives.

The prosecutor labeled Sullivan as a “convicted liar” and “predator,” as reported by NBC affiliate KPNX. They highlighted the fact that other women, who had also been victimized by Sullivan, were willing to travel from out of state to testify against him in a potential murder trial, underscoring the severity of his actions and the fear he instilled in his victims.

Leagans’ family bravely took the stand before sentencing to describe Sullivan as a “repeat offender.” They referenced a troubling history of allegations against him for exploiting the trust of those around him, as reported by KPNX, which paints a disturbing picture of a man who preyed on vulnerable individuals.

They vividly reminded the judge of the brutality with which he treated Leagans, likening his actions to a butcher’s treatment of livestock. One of the victim’s sisters poignantly stated, “He deemed her trash to be dumped in the Arizona desert,” a powerful reflection of their pain and outrage at the disregard shown for her life.

KPNX also reported that at the time of Leagans’ tragic death, Sullivan was on probation for aggravated assault. Upon his arrest, he suggested to police that his actions were “spontaneous and heinous in nature,” a chilling admission that reveals the reckless mindset that led to this horrific crime.

When announcing Sullivan’s sentence, the judge remarked that he posed a “danger to society” and condemned his treatment of the victim, stating he “treated [the victim] like trash.” This statement not only highlights the severity of Sullivan’s actions but also reflects the broader societal issue of how domestic violence is often minimized or overlooked.

Sullivan received a sentence of 25 years for the murder charge, along with an additional six-and-a-half years for attempting to conceal her remains. These sentences are set to be served consecutively, ensuring that he will be held accountable for his actions for many years to come.

“What that man did to my sister, what he did within this judicial system, his manipulations, his lies, is excruciating,” expressed Leagans’ sister Lori Porth after the sentencing. Her heartfelt words resonate with the broader experience of families affected by violent crimes and the ongoing struggle for justice.

Her other sister, Christa Holton, added, “He can’t hurt anyone else and that at least helps me find some form of peace.” This statement reflects the hope that the justice system can provide some closure and security to those impacted by such tragic events.

Amy Leagans was reported missing on October 27, 2020, after her mother had not heard from her for an extended period. Following a thorough investigation, authorities determined that the last sighting of Amy alive occurred on October 14, a revelation that raised significant concerns among her loved ones.

Having recently relocated to Arizona from Illinois in June or July of the same year, Amy was living with Timothy Sullivan in a shared apartment in Chandler at the time of her disappearance, as reported by KSAZ. In 2020, court documents indicated that Leagans and Sullivan were involved in a relationship, which complicates the narrative surrounding her tragic fate.

Due to Sullivan’s “violent criminal history of domestic violence-related offenses,” police immediately became suspicious of his potential involvement in her disappearance, even though the couple was no longer living together. This background raised alarms about Amy’s safety and the likelihood of foul play.

The investigation took a significant turn when police attempted to contact Sullivan at his latest address, discovering his vehicle parked nearby. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a deeper inquiry into Sullivan’s actions leading up to Leagans’ disappearance.

Upon entering Sullivan’s residence, investigators reported finding a disturbing array of items, including “a bottle of bleach, latex gloves, a scrub brush, mattress sheets, pillowcases, and a duffle bag,” as detailed in police reports. This discovery prompted a search warrant on November 11, 2020, which revealed an area in the backyard that had been raked and lightly covered with mulch, raising further suspicions about the events that transpired.

Investigators detailed that upon digging in the backyard, they uncovered “pieces of burned clothing, human hair, a bracelet, and a tag (size 6) for an article of women’s clothing.” The items were reported to have a strong odor reminiscent of an accelerant similar to lighter fluid, leading to even more questions about Sullivan’s involvement and the nature of the crime.

Furthermore, police provided evidence of human blood found on Leagans’ mattress inside her apartment, on the back seat of her car, and on a pillow discovered inside Sullivan’s vehicle. This accumulation of evidence painted a grim picture of the circumstances surrounding Amy’s disappearance and suggested a violent confrontation.

Just six days following the discovery of the blood evidence, authorities located the remains of a human torso near the Salt River. “The body was that of an almost skeletonized female that was inside a black plastic bag and covered with mulch,” investigators stated in court documents. The remains exhibited signs of trauma and had been dismembered, intensifying the horror of the case.

On November 19, only two days after the torso was discovered, the remains were positively identified as belonging to Amy Leagans. Subsequently, police arrested Sullivan on November 25, marking a crucial step in the pursuit of justice for Amy and her grieving family.

Early in their investigation, police discovered a report dating back to September 2020, where Amy Leagans had previously stated that Timothy Sullivan had physically assaulted her during an argument. However, records showed there was no evidence of the alleged altercation, and “no enforcement was taken” at that time, raising questions about the effectiveness of the protective measures in place for victims of domestic violence.

After Leagans’ disappearance, authorities managed to locate Sullivan staying at an ex-girlfriend’s residence in Scottsdale. The woman reportedly informed officers, according to AZ Family, that her relationship with Sullivan had been troubled and marked by fear and manipulation.

The unidentified woman recounted a recent disturbing incident in which Sullivan allegedly strangled her and threatened to “bury me in the backyard like Amy,” an alarming indication of his violent tendencies and mindset.

According to court documents, after his arrest related to Leagans’ disappearance — and subsequent homicide — Sullivan was read his Miranda Rights and confessed to killing her. His admission to the crime provided crucial evidence for prosecutors as they built their case against him.

During his confession to investigators, as documented in court records, Sullivan revealed that he had been arguing with Leagans at her home when he “snapped” and “choked the victim until she stopped breathing.” This chilling detail illustrates the sudden and extreme nature of the violence that occurred.

He admitted to leaving her body alone in the apartment for two days, before ultimately returning to wrap her remains in a tarp and bury her in the backyard, an indication of his coldness and the premeditated nature of his actions.

Following his growing apprehension, Sullivan confessed to police that he exhumed the body and dismembered it with an ax, disposing of different limbs in trash receptacles scattered throughout the East Valley. He stated that he dumped her torso in the desert, where it was eventually recovered, revealing the gruesome reality of his crime.