By AP/KWMU
St. Louis – Teenager Alexander Stirlen was sentenced to life in prison without parole Wednesday for the killing of a teenage girl.
Stirlen, 18, of Sunset Hills, pleaded guilty to the killing of 16-year-old Erin Mace last year.
Stirlen, who was 17 at the time, also received jail time on nine other counts including forcible rape, sodomy, evidence tampering, and armed criminal action.
Prosecutors said Stirlen beat Mace in East Carondolet, Ill. before sexually assaulting her and leaving her body inside an SUV.
He then set the vehicle on fire in order to conceal her murder.