UPDATE: Two reach plea deal in 2022 death of woman in Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. (KOLD News 13) - Two people reached a plea deal in connection with the death of a woman in Tucson last year.

Glorya E. Smith-Lee and Kenneth Edward Neece of Tucson faced charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and tampering with physical evidence.

Today, September 12, they both pleaded guilty to negligent homicide and concealment of a body. Smith-Lee also pleaded guilty to possession of a deadly weapon by a prohibited possessor in a seperate case.

Authorities said they are responsible for the death 29-year-old Patricia Belen Gonzales, whose body was found near East Klafter and South Wilmot roads in Tucson on April 14, 2022.

According to detectives, Gonzales had been homeless at the time of her death.

Neece and Smith-Lee will be sentenced on Monday, Dec. 4.

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