The news was equal parts horrifying as it was shocking when we first learned of Bruce Bourgeois Jr.

One July 2014 morning, authorities say the Destrehan man stabbed his girlfriend Mia Waite to death and also seriously injured Mia’s mother, Carmelina Waite, through stabbing.

It was reported Bourgeois wanted Mia’s vehicle — the disagreement that followed led to the senseless deaths. Bourgeois initially escaped the scene in Destrehan, but authorities arrested him the next day. He was charged with first degree murder, attempted first degree murder and armed robbery.

On Thursday, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and attempted manslaughter.

St. Charles Parish District Attorney Joel T. Chaisson II announced later in the day the plea agreement serves to ensure “Bruce Bourgeois Jr. will spend the majority, if not the remainder of his life, in prison and spare Mia Waite’s family the pain and uncertainty of a public trial and years of appeals.

“It is my hope that the family may find peace with the closure that this guilty plea provides,” he concluded in a prepared statement to media.

Bourgeois received the maximum sentence of 40 years with the Louisiana Department of Corrections for his guilty plea to manslaughter.

He also received the maximum sentence of 20 years for his guilty plea to attempted manslaughter. However, Judge Emile R. St. Pierre ordered the sentences to run concurrently, meaning Bourgeois can be considered for parole after 34 years.

In all likelihood, Bourgeois will have the opportunity to spend some of his later days free of incarceration. It’s a fate much better than that of Mia Waite, Carmelina Waite and their loved ones. Chaisson said the plea was pursued with the consent of Carmelina Waite, who was brave enough to speak at Thursday’s court proceeding. We hope this week’s actions bring some level of peace to the family.