A former Air Force airman has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for killing his friend with a hammer.
Prosecutors say former Airman First Class James Thomas agreed to plead guilty Friday to one count of second-degree extreme indifference murder and two counts of tampering with physical evidence.
Prosecutors said the 26-year-old struck Senior Airman Clinton Reeves multiple times with a hammer, then disposed of his body in a ravine, Anchorage television station KTVA reported.
Reeves was initially reported missing April 23, 2012, launching a large search effort by U.S. Air Force officials and Reeves' family in Kansas and California.
His body was found about two weeks later by three women walking along Skyline Drive in Eagle River, according to Anchorage police.
The parties agreed to a 55-year sentence, including 23 years suspended. That means Thomas will serve 32 years, including time already served.
