A 50-year prison sentence has been handed town to a South Bend man who stabbed a woman to death in the 900 block of East Fairview.

Richard Lee Alexander, 55, was originally charged with murder and invasion of privacy in the Sep. 13, 2020, death of Catherine Minix, 37.

Police were called to the home after receiving a call about a woman needing help. Once on scene, they found Minix’s body between two homes. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Alexander admitted to killing Minix under sudden heat and pled guilty to voluntary manslaughter and for being a habitual offender.

Alexander had a history of domestic violence with Minix, and No Contact Order was in place due to prior convictions of invasion of privacy and domestic battery against Minix back in 2019.

As part of the plea deal, the murder and invasion of privacy charges were dismissed.

Alexander was sentenced to 30 years for voluntary manslaughter and 20 years for the habitual offender enhancement.