(CENTREVILLE) – A guilty plea was accepted in the 2019 murder of a Three Rivers woman.

St. Joseph County Circuit Court officials say 34 year old Randall Miller entered the plea to a charge of second degree murder in the death of Lori Norman. He had originally been charged with open murder following his arrest, but agreed to the second degree murder charge as part of a plea deal.

Three Rivers Police were called to Norman's house on Fifth Street on March 25, 2019 after a neighbor called authorities about an unresponsive person. Police and rescue personnel gave aid to Norman, but she died a short time later.

As part of their investigation, officers interviewed several people, including Miller and his children. One of the kids told officers they saw Miller choking Norman and slamming her. They eventually went to their next door neighbor, who called police.

An autopsy was performed and officers were told it was possible Norman died from strangulation.

Following an extensive investigation, Miller was arrested.

St. Joseph County Prosecutor John McDonough recommended a sentence of 20 years for Miller. That carries the possibility of life in prison. Miller is scheduled to be sentenced on December 18.