CORNING, NY (WENY) -- A Corning man pleaded guilty to killing a woman in her apartment in 2022.

Twenty-eight year old Brett Heffner pleaded guilty to a charge of second degree murder for the death of 26-year-old Keli Collins on August 5, 2022. Heffner was accused of sexually assaulting Collins before strangling her to death. Collins' body was found by neighbors in the apartment complex shortly after 1AM on August 6th. The official cause of death was ruled "ligature strangulation homicide." 

Authorities say Heffner also lived at the Stewart Park Apartments on Corning's north side, and the two knew each other. 

After the murder, Heffner fled Collins' apartment, stealing her car. He was later taken into custody in Hornell around 2AM, after a traffic stop. Heffner later confessed to her murder.

In September of 2022, a grand jury indicted Heffner on multiple charges, including first degree murder, second degree murder, first degree rape, second degree burglary, first degree falsifying business records, and fourth degree grand larceny, among other charges.

District Attorney Brooks Baker tells WENY News the guilty plea of second degree murder satisfies the other charges, and avoids a criminal trial, and is the best outcome for the family of the victim.

"It was an appropriate offer that fit the facts of the case," Baker said.

DA Baker also praised local law enforcement in their cooperation in locating, arresting, and charging Heffner. "This was a Corning PD case, but the Steuben County Sheriff's [Office], the New York State Police and the Hornell City Police Department all played vital roles in bringing Heffner swiftly to justice - they displayed a level of interdepartmental cooperation that you don't see everywhere, with the singular goal of finding justice for Keli Collins."

As part of Heffner's plea deal, he waived his right to appeal, and will serve the maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. He remains held at the Steuben County jail until his sentencing on May 16th, at 9:30AM in Steuben County court.