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AUGUSTA, Ga. () – In a significant verdict, Leon Tripp and Tanya Tripp have been convicted of the murder of their daughter, Janell Carwell, by a jury in Augusta.
The jury reached a unanimous decision on Friday after deliberating for several hours. Both defendants were found guilty on all counts, and sentencing was conducted on March 6, 2026.
Leon Tripp received a sentence of life imprisonment without the possibility of parole for charges of malice murder and felony murder. Additionally, he faces a consecutive 20-year sentence for aggravated assault/family violence and a concurrent 10-year sentence for concealing a death.
Tanya Tripp was similarly sentenced to life in prison without parole for malice and felony murder. She was handed a concurrent 20-year sentence for aggravated assault and a 10-year term for concealing a death.
Janell Carwell vanished on her 16th birthday in 2017. Initially reported missing by the Tripps, they were subsequently implicated in her disappearance. Her body was discovered nearly a year later, in March 2018, buried in a shallow grave on Golden Camp Road in Augusta.
On the sentencing, District Attorney Jared Williams released the following statement:
“Justice for Janell has finally been done. I am so humbled to work alongside such outstanding public servants who made this day possible, and so honored to serve the community that stood up for this child.”
According to the DA’s office, a press conference will be scheduled at a later date.
The Augusta Judicial Circuit Superior Court live streamed the sentencing.
This is a developing story. Count on NewsChannel 6 for more coverage on this story in our evening shows.