Michael Owen: Ex-marine sentenced to 25 years for strangling pregnant wife over medical insurance dispute

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK CITY: The former marine has been sentenced to 25 years in prison for strangling his pregnant estranged wife, motivated by her refusal to cover the baby's medical insurance.

After Kelly Owen's demise in 2020, investigations revealed that Michael Owen and Kelly were married in 2013, had a child together, and later separated in March 2018.

Despite their physical relationship continuing for some time post-separation, authorities noted that it ended due to Michael Owen's violent behavior as per Law&Crime.

What did Nassau County Judge say in connection to Kelly Owen's death?

Nassau County Supreme Court Judge Robert A McDonald issued a sentence of 25 years to life in a state correctional facility for Michael Owen on Thursday, following his conviction by a Nassau County jury on one count of second-degree murder in the brutal death of his estranged wife, Kelly Owen, in July 2023. 

According to Nassau County District Attorney Anne T Donnelly, "Michael Owen drove to his estranged wife’s house on January 15, 2020, with the intention of killing her. Kelly was a young mother and pregnant with Owen’s child at the time of her brutal murder. She worked with children and had dreams of becoming a nurse. Michael Owen stole those dreams, and now he will pay for his crimes in prison. Our thoughts remain with Kelly’s family as they continue to mourn her loss." 

Investigators established that Michael Owen decided to take his wife's life, a nursing student after she informed him of her pregnancy with their second child. 

Prosecutors revealed that Michael Owen, grappling with financial difficulties and involved in a new relationship, was unwilling to have another child. 

The evidence indicated that he specifically resisted covering the medical insurance for the new baby. 

Nassau police Det Lt Stephen Fitzpatrick remarked in a statement after Owen's arrest, “He did not want this child, he did not want to give her medical insurance. He had this new relationship he was involved in, and he was in a bad position."

What happened at Kelly Owen’s apartment?

According to the District Attorney’s Office, the incident involved Kelly at her apartment situated in the 1200 block of First Avenue in Farmingdale.

Kelly Owen’s apartment was part of her parents' residence, and on that morning, her father accompanied her 6-year-old son to school. It's noteworthy that she and Michael Owen shared custody of the child.

Kelly Owen was employed as an aftercare program aide at a local elementary school from 3 to 6 p.m. bur failed to call in sick or appear for work that day. 

Concerned, a colleague contacted her parents to inquire about her whereabouts, leading to the discovery of Kelly Owen’s lifeless body inside the apartment.

An autopsy revealed that she had been strangled to death with a "rope-like object" and was in the early stages of pregnancy.

Surveillance footage reviewed by investigators indicated that Michael Owen was in the victim’s neighborhood around 9:30 a.m. on the morning of her death.

“Michael Owen — who was employed as a cell site technician — parked two blocks away from Kelly’s home and turned his phone off before arriving in Farmingdale, making his cellphone location undetectable,”  prosecutors stated in the release.

Despite these efforts, authorities recovered Michael Owen’s DNA from the area around the victim’s neck. He was subsequently arrested later that month and charged with murder.