JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – A woman has been sentenced nearly five years after the body of a missing woman was found in Louisiana.

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens said Yolanda Torns was convicted of second-degree murder.

On April 1, 2019, Louisiana State Police discovered the body of Celeste McDonald in a marshy area near Mound, Louisiana. She had been reported missing the day before in Mississippi.

After an investigation by Jackson police, Ryan Christopher Hopkins and Torns were arrested in connection to McDonald’s murder. According to Torns’ testimony, McDonald had accused Hopkins of sexual assault.

On the day of the murder, Torns and Hopkins attempted to convince McDonald to withdraw her accusation. When McDonald refused, investigators said Hopkins killed her by cutting her throat. Torns then assisted Hopkins in disposing of McDonald’s body in Louisiana.

Prosecutors said Torns and Hopkins married the same day, so they could not be compelled to testify against one another. Torns has since obtained a divorce from Hopkins.

Owens said Torns was sentenced to 40 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC) with 15 years suspended and 25 years to serve, followed by five years of post-release supervision.

Last month, Hopkins was extradited to Mississippi and is in the custody of the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office.