On that day, Upchurch arrived at Key’s apartment on West McCarty Street at around 6:00 pm, shooting Key once as Key answered the door. Approximately three hours later, police responded to an apartment complex on Southridge Drive, where Upchurch had shot and killed Hill-Cook, his girlfriend, leaving her body in the parking lot of the complex. Upchurch ultimately traveled to the Jefferson City Police Department, where he turned himself in to authorities.

During a two-hour sentencing hearing, family members of both victims addressed Upchurch, while a psychiatrist called by the defense testified that Upchurch suffered from a number of mental health issues. Following the evidence, Cole County Circuit Judge Cotton Walker ordered that Upchurch would serve a life sentence for each murder, with the sentences to run consecutively.

“I am pleased with the sentences handed down by the Court today.” Thompson said. “I hope that the final resolution of this case brings a sense of closure to both the Key and Cook families, and serves as a reminder that violent crime in our community will not go unpunished.”