Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A Knoxville man has been sentenced in the shooting death of his girlfriend in April of 2024.

According to court records, Michael Merrick shot his then girlfriend, 49-year-old Nicole Fanney, also known as Nicole Stewart, 13 times at their shared Knoxville apartment before fleeing to Kentucky.

Knoxville Police Department officers found Fanney dead at the apartment on Atchley Ridge Way.

Announcing Merrick’s sentencing Friday, District Attorney Charme Allen said prosecutors presented evidence that showed that Merrick and Fanney had been arguing prior to the murder.

Merrick was charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence. He will serve 25 years in prison and will not be granted parole.