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Man Found Guilty Of Killing Accomplished LI Singer Sentenced To Life

MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- A Long Island man found guilty of murdering his girlfriend's mother will be sentenced to life in prison Wednesday, according to a published report.

Antonio Christian, 28, was sentenced to life in prison without parole by a Nassau County judge Wednesday morning, according to a Newsday report.

The body of Saundra Simonee, 59, was found wrapped in a pink blanket behind a dumpster at The Birches apartment complex in Bay Shore -- around 25 miles from her East Norwich home -- in September 2013.

Simonee, an accomplished singer, was described as a talented soprano who graced the stage at Long Island performances and taught cosmetology. She is survived by a son and daughter, whom friends said she adopted and struggled to raise on her own as a single mother.

Prosecutors say Christian beat Simonee to death with a hammer to  get her bank card PIN number, CBS2 reported.

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