Saugus, MA – A Massachusetts man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after a jury found him guilty of brutally stabbing his girlfriend 217 times and dumping her body in a marsh north of Boston. Prosecutors say Bruce Maiben, 48, murdered 40-year-old Sherell Pringle after she told him she was “done” with their relationship.
The Incident: A Violent End to a Troubled Relationship
According to the Essex County District Attorney’s Office, the killing occurred on December 19, 2021, when Pringle spent the night with Maiben. The next morning, her family could not reach her and quickly reported her missing, fearing something was wrong.
Two days later, on December 21, 2021, family members discovered Pringle’s body in a marsh off Route 107 in Saugus, about 11 miles north of Boston. They had used her phone’s location data to track her down after authorities were initially unable to locate her.
Investigators said Pringle had been stabbed 217 times, a level of violence that prosecutors described as “overkill.” Her injuries were so severe that her family was forced to hold a closed-casket funeral.
“What hurts the most is, I told these cops from the jump to locate Bruce Maiben,” said Pringle’s son, Jahmani Larionne, following her discovery. “I told them day one, ‘You need to locate Bruce. Ping his phone and find him.’”
Investigation and Evidence Collected
Following the discovery of Pringle’s body, police launched a multi-agency investigation involving local detectives and state police assigned to the district attorney’s office. Within two days, investigators identified Maiben as a person of interest and arrested him at his home in Lynn, Massachusetts, on December 23, 2021, just two days before Christmas.
Maiben was initially charged with larceny, tampering with evidence, and obstruction, but once forensic evidence linked him to the killing, prosecutors elevated the charges to first-degree murder. Investigators determined that Maiben had broken into Pringle’s home prior to the attack and had previously threatened her with a knife after an argument.
Court documents revealed that shortly before her death, Pringle sent a message to a friend stating she was “done with Maiben”, indicating her intent to end the relationship.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
Maiben’s trial took place in Essex County Superior Court, where jurors heard disturbing details of the killing. Prosecutors argued that the murder was premeditated and fueled by rage after Pringle decided to leave the relationship.
On Wednesday, the court sentenced Maiben to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole, following the jury’s first-degree murder conviction. The courtroom was filled with Pringle’s family members, who had attended every session of the trial.
As the sentence was delivered, Pringle’s mother, Pearl Garner, addressed the killer directly:
“You don’t deserve to be walking here. You will get what you deserve because God don’t like ugly,” she said in court. “You’re scum. I hope you rot in hell for what you did.”
Statements from Officials and Family
Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker commended the family’s courage and the investigators’ persistence throughout the case.
“This verdict and subsequent sentence will ensure that the defendant will be held accountable for his senseless and atrocious conduct,” Tucker said. “Our hope is that the family and friends of Sherell Pringle can find some comfort in this outcome.”
The District Attorney’s Office said the level of brutality in the attack underscored Maiben’s intent to kill, noting that Pringle’s defensive wounds showed she fought desperately for her life.
Background Context: A Pattern of Violence
Court filings revealed that Maiben had a history of violent behavior, including a prior domestic incident involving Pringle. Investigators believe the fatal stabbing occurred after an escalating series of threats and confrontations.
Prosecutors presented evidence that Maiben’s possessive and controlling behavior had intensified in the weeks before the murder. Pringle’s family told investigators that she had been trying to distance herself from the relationship.
Her obituary described her as a “natural-born leader” and a “very ambitious” woman who was loved deeply by her family and community. She leaves behind her son and a large extended family who continue to mourn her loss.
Ongoing Impact and Community Response
The case has reignited discussion in Massachusetts about domestic violence awareness and prevention, particularly the warning signs that often precede lethal attacks. Local advocacy groups are urging stronger protections for victims of intimate partner violence, including emergency intervention programs and expanded access to protective orders.
Community vigils held in Saugus and Lynn have honored Pringle’s memory and called for continued attention to the issue of domestic abuse.
Conclusion
With Bruce Maiben now sentenced to life in prison, Sherell Pringle’s family says they finally have justice, though the pain remains. Her mother’s words in court reflect the anguish of a family forever changed: “You will get what you deserve.”
As the community remembers Pringle’s life and legacy, her story stands as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence.
What are your thoughts on this tragic case? Share your opinions in the comments below.
