ST. PETER — A 39-year-old former Sleepy Eye man accused in the death of a 35-year-old Sleepy Eye woman last fall, received a 79-month sentence in Nicollet County District Court Monday.

Casey Dlynn Narvaez pleaded guilty to second-degree manslaughter in an April 1 plea agreement. Felony second-degree intentional murder and aiding suicide charges were dismissed.

Charges stem from Oct. 26 911 call at 12:54 a.m. to Nicollet County Dispatch from Narvaez at a Minnesota River boat ramp near Highway 4 who said “it didn’t work,” and “I don’t know why I’m alive.”

First responders saw Narvaez standing outside a GMC Acadia with cable (zip) ties around his neck. Officers found the body of a deceased woman, later identified as Kayla Hulsey, 35, of Sleepy Eye, in the Acadia with zip ties around her neck.

Dryer vent tubes outside the vehicle were attached to a vehicle exhaust pipe at one end and unattached at the other end. A second part of dryer vent tubing was found near the vehicle.

Narvaez was transported to Sleepy Eye Medical Center where he told authorities that he and Hulsey agreed to die together by suicide.

A Ramsey County Medical Office report read that Hulsey’s death was caused by asphyxia due to strangulation.

Husley’s grandmother, Lois Jordan, read a victim impact statement prior to sentencing.

“Kayla was so happy at an Oct. 17 family reunion. She and I played bingo. We laughed a lot. I asked for a photo and got one. It’s the last one I’ll ever get. Those times, no one can take away from me,” said Jordan.

“I don’t know how a person can say ‘I love you’ 12 days before murdering her. What Casey did wasn’t love. Now her (Kayla Hulsey’s) children won’t see her again,” Jordan added.

Kayla Hulsey’s great aunt, Karen Malecka, addressed Narvaez in her victim impact statement.

“Your truths spoke loud that day when all you could do is brag about how much marijuana you had with and how much you smoked,” said Malecka.

“I know Kayla was looking for love and Casey, you took that away from her. You stood in court stone cold, answering what you did to her with no remorse,” Malecka added.

“She (Kayla Hulsey) had scratches on her neck and bruises on her wrist. Why didn’t you try and get her some help? You became a coward that day you took her life,” Malecka said.

Nicollet County District Attorney Michelle Zender Fischer said her biggest concern was the welfare of Kayla Hulsey’s five children.

Defense attorney Tracy Bains of Mankato said Narvaez he will have to live the rest of his life with a tragedy. Bains said text messages used as evidence in court read that Kayla Hulsey didn’t want to live without Narvaez.

“Both of these people had significant mental health challenges and abuse issues. Narvaez tried to blow himself up in North Dakota in 2022,” she added.

Narvaez will serve 52 months in prison and 27 months on supervised release.

He was credited with 191 days served and fined. $500. restitution will remain open for 30 days. He was ordered to not have contact with seven victims including Kayla Hulsey’s five children, her mother and grandmother.