JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — A Jacksonville woman was sentenced to 30 years in prison on Thursday after pleading guilty to killing her girlfriend and leaving her remains out on the front porch of their home for nearly a week in 2023, according to State Attorney Melissa Nelson.

Judge Meredith Charbula sentenced Shannon McCarthy, 46, after she changed her plea from not guilty to guilty on charges of second-degree murder, tampering with evidence and written threats to kill or do bodily injury for the murder of Heather Sheppard.

On July 3, 2023, Sheppard’s daughter contacted the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office to report Sheppard missing; she had been missing since June 29, 2023. 

On July 5, 2023, detectives found Sheppard’s remains in an “advanced state of decomposition” outside of her and McCarthy’s home on Colonial Avenue.

Police were at their home to investigate Sheppard’s disappearance, according to McCarthy’s arrest report. Nelson said in a release that McCarthy gave detectives permission to search the home, and that they witnessed her throw a tarp over items on the front porch. Detectives then removed the tarp, which led to the discovery of Sheppard’s remains.

Neighbors nearby the couple’s home reported smelling a “foul odor” before Sheppard’s body was located.

Sheppard’s family previously told First Coast News Sheppard’s phone was turned off, her credit cards were missing, a stained pair of shoes were found in the couple’s home, and that they found Sheppard’s truck with a bullet hole in it.

Sheppard’s autopsy confirmed she was shot multiple times, according to Nelson. 

“The Florida Department of Law Enforcement analyzed the projectiles and confirmed they matched McCarthy’s gun,” Nelson said in the release.

McCarthy was already facing charges from a reported battery against Sheppard in January 2023. She was out on bond on the battery charges, but her bond was revoked by a judge after Sheppard’s remains were found.