2017 Alaska Murder Update - Emerald Princess

[Von & John]

Kenneth Manzanares has signed an agreement to plead guilty to a second-degree murder charge. The document offers new insight into the moments leading up to 39-year-old Kristy Manzanares' murder.

 

https://www.ktva.com/story/41647331/utah-man-to-plead-guilty-in-wifes-death-on-alaska-cruise

 

A Utah man has agreed to plead guilty this week in the death of his wife onboard an Alaska cruise in the summer of 2017.

 

Kenneth Manzanares has signed an agreement to plead guilty to a second-degree murder charge. The document offers new insight into the moments leading up to 39-year-old Kristy Manzanares' murder.

 

According to the document, the two were arguing over his behavior on the evening of July 25, 2017. During the discussion, Kristy told Kenneth she wanted a divorce and that he should get off of the ship in Juneau and return to Utah. Minutes later, witnesses heard yelling.

 

Kenneth was seen, "straddling Kristy Manzanares, who was on the floor. The defendant was striking Kristy Manzanares in the head with closed fists," according to the document.

 

The plea agreement states that Kenneth admits to "striking Kristy Manzanares once with a closed fist, seeing blood and striking Kristy Manzanares another time."

 

He allegedly says he does not have any memory of what happened after that.

 

An autopsy determined Kristy's cause of death was blunt force trauma to the face and head.

 

A change of plea hearing is scheduled for Friday.

 

Copyright 2020 KTVA. All rights reserved.

[JF - retired RRT]

2 hours ago, Von & John said:

Kenneth was seen, "straddling Kristy Manzanares, who was on the floor. The defendant was striking Kristy Manzanares in the head with closed fists," according to the document.

 

He was seen doing this and no one did anything?

[Outerdog]

38 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

He was seen doing this and no one did anything?

 

Yes, they called security.

 

If I recall correctly, the witnesses were the children or relatives in an adjacent cabin -- can't remember which.

 

 

[caribill]

9 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

He was seen doing this and no one did anything?

 

He was seen after the victim was dead, not while it was happening.

[Von & John]

CNN has now picked up the story...

What is amazing to me is the new information regarding his potential sentence:

Kenneth Manzanares faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000, the Justice Department said.

He could get simply a $250,000 fine for killing his wife, in front of his children...

It'll be interesting to learn his final sentence!

 

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/man-who-killed-wife-on-alaska-cruise-after-she-demanded-divorce-pleads-guilty-to-murder/ar-BBZMaZo?li=BBnbcA1&ocid=SL5LDHP

 

A Utah man pleaded guilty to beating his wife to death aboard a cruise ship two and a half years ago, the US Department of Justice announced Friday.

 

Kenneth Ray Manzanares pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in connection with the death of Kristy Manzanares in July 2017.

The Emerald Princess cruise ship was in US waters when the Manzanareses had a verbal fight in their cabin, a news release from the Department of Justice said.

"According to admissions made in connection with the plea, Kenneth and Kristy Manzanares became involved in a verbal argument about Kenneth's behavior that evening, and, during the discussion, Kristy stated she wanted a divorce and told him to disembark the vessel at Juneau in order for him to travel back home to Utah," the news release said.

Kenneth Manzanares told two children in the room to go to an adjoining room where some of Kristy's relatives were staying, the Justice Department said. After the children heard screaming they tried to get back in the room but couldn't. They could see from a connected balcony the husband striking his wife with his hands while she was on the floor, the release said.

Kristy Manzanares died of blunt force trauma to her face and head.

CNN reached out to a public defender for Kenneth Manzanares but didn't get an immediate response.

Kenneth Manzanares faces a maximum sentence of life in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000, the Justice Department said. The case fell under federal jurisdiction because the killing occurred while the ship was in US waters.

The couple was from Santa Clara, Utah. The Emerald Princess is operated by Princess Cruises.

[cruisequeen4ever]

Thank you for the update. I’m glad he’s admitting guilt finally. His poor children!!