ASHEVILLE, N.C. – A Swain County man pleaded guilty Friday to first-degree murder in his wife’s death in 2013.
In a plea hearing, officials said the body of Marie Walkingstick Pheasant was found inside a burned-out car parked near Big Cove Road in western North Carolina on December 29th, 2013.
Investigators determined that Marie died from stab wounds to the neck and abdomen and that the vehicle was intentionally set on fire.
A baseball hat with DNA was located near the burnt car, leading investigators to Marie’s estranged husband, 47-year-old Ernest Pheasant.
Throughout the investigation, law enforcement concluded that Ernest killed Marie at their home, put her body to the car, drove it to Big Cove Road and set it on fire.
As part of the guilty plea, Ernest admits to murdering Marie deliberately, maliciously and with premeditated intent.
Ernest remains in federal custody. His sentencing date has not been set.
