Man Convicted of Raping, Murdering Wife's Twin Sister in Spencer, Massachusetts

Steven West, 24, was found guilty of murdering 20-year-old Alyssa Haden in October of 2012.

A Massachusetts man is guilty of raping and murdering his wife's twin sister while his wife was at the hospital to give birth to their child, a jury found Thursday.

Steven West, 24, was found guilty of murdering 20-year-old Alyssa Haden in October of 2012. Authorities said he raped and strangled her while his wife, Caitlin West, was at the hospital preparing to deliver the couple's child.

Haden shared an apartment on Pleasant Street in Spencer with the Wests and their infant son.

According to Worcester County District Attorney Joseph Early Jr., West gave inconsistent statements about Haden's death, initially claiming gang members from his native state of Indiana killed her, then saying another man was responsible.

West had told authorities that Haden died accidentally during sex. An autopsy confirmed Haden died of asphyxiation and that her face, neck and chest had been compressed.

Early noted that West weighed more than 400 pounds when he killed Haden.

West is scheduled to be sentenced Friday. First-degree murder in Massachusetts carries a mandatory life sentence without parole.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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