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Coco Warner ReportingThe final chapter of the Lori Hacking murder will take place today. Mark Hacking is scheduled to appear in court before a judge. His sentencing, for the murder of his wife, Lori, should help bring closure to a case that captured national attention.
The disappearance of 28-year old Lori Hacking first captivated Utah and the nation back in July of 2004, but her disappearance was only the beginning of what became nearly a year long ordeal.
Mark Hacking, July 19, 2004: "I called her at about 10:00 to say hi and just see how she was doing, and they told me she, she never made it in this morning."
Monday morning, July 19th, 2004, Lori Hacking disappears. According to her husband Mark, she never made it to work after her morning jog. Investigators and family members launched a search.
Thelma Soares, Lori's mother: "If someone has her please, please let her go and bring her back."
Police soon shifted their attention to Mark Hacking after they found out he lied about his education. After a breakdown at a Salt Lake hotel, Mark Hacking was admitted to a psychiatric ward where he allegedly confessed to Lori's murder.
Lance Hacking: "We clarified and made sure he knew that Scott and I acted out of love, and I think that was apparent to him and that he understood that."
Police believe Mark Hacking shot Lori while she slept and then placed her body in a dumpster. Authorities searched a Salt Lake landfill. Lori's remains were found nearly two months later, on Friday October 1st.
Sgt. J.R. Nelson, Found Lori's remains: "I'm just happy for the family that they're gonna be able to get closure on this."
Lori Hacking was buried on October 9th. Mark Hacking was formally charged with her murder on October 29th. On December 5th, Lori's mother Thelma had the name Hacking removed from Lori's gravestone.
Thelma Soares: "My religious belief is in the resurrection, her body will be whole and beautiful again, as it was."
On April 15, 2005, Mark Hacking entered a guilty plea in the death of his wife.
Paul Soares, Lori's Brother: "It's something I wanted to hear-- for him to finally say he did it-- but it's really, really hard to hear him say it."
And a new date to add to this story's timeline-- June 6, 2005, the day Mark Hacking will appear in a sentencing hearing for the murder of his wife. His plea calls for a sentence between six years to life in prison. How much time Mark Hacking will spend in prison is hard to predict.
As of August 2004, there were 209 people in prison for first degree murder. 45-percent are still awaiting their hearing before the State Board of Pardons. 26-percent were denied parole at their first hearing. 24-percent have been granted parole. Only 4-percent will be in prison for life. The average time served before they were released is 20 years.
