Man gets 35 yrs for killing girlfriend

KOKOMO, Ind. (WISH) - A judge accepted a guilty plea Tuesday from a man charged with killing a Kokomo woman.

Travis Funke pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and will serve 35 years in prison and 15 years on probation. Police say Funke admitted to the 2011 murder of his former girlfriend, Kelly Armstrong.

Also as part of the agreement, Funke must tell investigators where Armstrong's body is.

Her body has never been found.

Police say during their year-long investigation, Funke admitted to killing his girlfriend in the trailer they shared, then getting rid of her body by dumping it in a trash can.

Police tracked garbage from the area to a Wabash landfill and searched for six days but came up empty-handed.

“We were at least somewhat confident we could locate the body, but based upon the information that was provided by landfill operators that the chance of her being located after the expiration of time and conditions … the chances were slim,” said Howard County Prosecutor Mark McCann.

Some family members say they don't think Funke is telling the truth about what he did with her.

As part of Funke’s plea deal, he's required to cooperate with investigators and provide "full, honest, and truthful statements as to the whereabouts of Kelly Armstrong" and the "facts and circumstances" surrounding her death/disappearance.

"I have represented along with the police department that we will continue - if provided credible information - to attempt to locate her so her body can be delivered to her family," said McCann.

Shelly Armstrong, Kelly’s sister, said she addressed Funke in the courtroom Tuesday and told him that her faith has allowed her to forgive him.

"I have the Lord and he forgives me and we are supposed to forgive others and I choose to live with no hate in my heart because I want to go to heaven to see my sister," she said after the proceeding.

In the meantime, she and others said they would keep looking for Kelly’s remains.

The family said they want to hear from anyone who may have information on where Kelly Armstrong’s body may be.

“We all just want the same outcome,” said Heather Morris, a friend.  “We just all want Kelly home so we can give her a final resting place.”