MURPHYSBORO – A Cape Girardeau man was sentenced Thursday to 42 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for First-degree Murder in the death of his wife in Carbondale in January of last year.

According to the Jackson County State’s Attorney’s Office, Carbondale Police responded on Jan. 4, 2023, to the 1100 block of East College Street where officers determined that 26-year-old Gloria Hopkins was the victim of a domestic violence incident with her husband, 30-year-old Gregory Hopkins.

The investigators collaborated with the Jackson County State’s Attorney Office to obtain an arrest warrant for Gregory Hopkins on charges of First-degree Murder and Aggravated Domestic Battery.

Hopkins fled Carbondale and traveled to the Los Angeles, California, area. Los Angeles Police officers located Gregory Hopkins and he was brought back to Jackson County to await trial.

On Sept. 27, 2023, just four days before trial, Hopkins pled guilty to First-degree Murder. On Thursday, after a contested sentencing hearing, Hopkins was sentenced to 42 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections. He will serve the entire sentence.