Waukesha, WI – A 57-year-old Wisconsin man has been found guilty of first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse in the 2022 death of his longtime girlfriend, 44-year-old Stephanie Pavlons, whose decomposed body was discovered in the woods of Delafield. The conviction comes after a six-day trial that revealed years of alleged abuse and chilling evidence of concealment.
The Incident: Body Found in a Wooded Area
On September 9, 2022, construction workers along Golf Road in Delafield, Wisconsin, made a shocking discovery when they found a woman’s decomposing body in a wooded area and immediately called 911. Authorities later identified the victim as Stephanie Pavlons, who had not been seen for nearly three weeks.
According to the criminal complaint, Pavlons had been in an on-and-off relationship for over 20 years with the suspect, Matthew Pahl. Her parents told investigators they feared she had been a victim of domestic violence, claiming that Pahl had a history of “knocking her around.”
Detectives later found entries in Pavlons’ personal planner that described physical abuse and despair.
“Another depressing & physically abusing day. I think he likes to do it,” Pavlons wrote in July 2021.
“Got hit hard which left a nice mark on my chest,” read another entry the following day.
Photographs from that period also showed Pavlons with a bruised and swollen eye and red marks on her chest.
Investigation and Evidence Linking Pahl to the Crime
Pavlons was last seen on August 23, 2022, leaving her shared apartment with a pink water bottle and black purse. Surveillance footage later showed Pahl returning to the apartment alone carrying the same pink bottle, and soon after, holding a plastic bag containing her purse.
Authorities noted that Pahl never reported Pavlons missing, even as her family searched for her in the weeks leading up to her discovery.
Though medical examiners could not determine an exact cause of death due to decomposition, investigators established that Pavlons died on the same day she was last seen—August 23. Prosecutors alleged that Pahl strangled her using her purse strap and dumped her body in the woods.
When questioned by police, Pahl denied involvement but made several incriminating statements.
“I have nothing to do with what happened to her… that purse, that water bottle ain’t s—. It’s not going to prove anything,” he told investigators.
Detectives also uncovered suspicious computer searches on Pahl’s laptop, including a search for Pavlons’ obituary on August 26—three days after she was killed and more than two weeks before her body was found. He was also in contact with two women in the Philippines, expressing a desire to move overseas and stating he was “really worried” about something.
Court Proceedings and Conviction
The trial, which lasted six days in Waukesha County Circuit Court, concluded this week with Pahl being found guilty on all counts. Prosecutors acknowledged that their case was circumstantial but said the timeline, digital evidence, and history of abuse proved motive and intent.
Assistant District Attorney Kristi Gordon told the jury that Pavlons had planned to leave Pahl around the time he had a doctor’s appointment on August 23. Prosecutors believe he strangled her in a fit of rage before disposing of her body.
“He thinks he’s covering his trail — but he didn’t know that we could look through her phone, find things he deleted,” Gordon said. “He thinks he’s the smartest man in the room.”
The defense team claimed that Pahl was merely worried about his missing girlfriend, suggesting that Pavlons had threatened suicide and that his online searches for her obituary were acts of concern, not guilt. However, jurors rejected that argument, siding with the prosecution’s narrative.
Statements and Reactions
Pahl reportedly showed no emotion as the judge read the guilty verdict in court on Tuesday. Pavlons’ family, who had long suspected foul play, expressed relief that justice had finally been served after more than two years of waiting.
Investigators emphasized that Pavlons’ diary entries and photos were instrumental in establishing a pattern of domestic abuse that ultimately led to her death.
Domestic violence advocates in Wisconsin called the case a stark reminder of the dangers faced by victims trapped in long-term abusive relationships and urged anyone experiencing abuse to seek help before it’s too late.
Background Context: History of Abuse and Control
Court records revealed that Pahl and Pavlons’ relationship had been volatile for decades, marked by jealousy, isolation, and repeated physical violence. Friends and family members testified that Pavlons had tried to leave several times, but often returned, fearing retaliation.
The victim’s writings and photos provided prosecutors with a chilling window into her final year, showing a pattern of escalating violence that culminated in her death.
Ongoing Developments and Sentencing
Pahl is scheduled to be sentenced on November 11, where he faces life in prison for the first-degree intentional homicide conviction and additional time for hiding a corpse. Prosecutors have said they plan to seek the maximum penalty.
The court will also consider victim impact statements from Pavlons’ family, including her daughter, during sentencing.
Conclusion
After years of denial and circumstantial claims, Matthew Pahl’s conviction marks the end of a long and emotional legal battle for the family of Stephanie Pavlons. The verdict underscores the devastating consequences of domestic abuse and the importance of speaking out before violence escalates into tragedy.
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