Life in prison: Ex-boyfriend found guilty of murdering 23-year-old Holly Springs mother

The state was able to bring first-degree murder charges against Sluss even though Moynan's body was never found.

"He was supposed to take care of her and protect her, but instead he killed her," said Curtis Moynan, the victim's father.

Her stepfather Brandon Tucker added, "There is a mental agony in knowing what you did to Moni. An agony that causes sleepless nights and leaves an eternal hole in our hearts."

Weeping, her mother Melanie Tucker said, "I will never get to hug my middle child again. I will never get to listen to her, be cozy with her, talk to her about all the things. Literally, all the things."

Members of the jury were emotional, hugging the family after the sentence was passed down.

Sluss showed no emotion on his face.

Prosecutors said the documented history of domestic violence in the relationship, along with blood found in their shared home, could lead to only one conclusion.

The state is using a law called Britny's Law, which allows the jury to find the elements of first-degree murder if there are former convictions for domestic violence involving the same victim.

Tucker gave an impassioned and emotional speech after the jury's decision was announced.

"She was a vibrant force, she was magnetic, her energy was very strong," her mother said. "A piece of our family puzzle is gone forever. Brian Sluss took that from us. He took her from all of our friends, her family and her future. But most of all, he took a mother from her children."

As the verdict was read, Wake County Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Pomeroy also began to cry.

Tucker said it hurt even more that Sluss pretended to be Moynan and decided to plead not guilty.

For more than two hours of direct examination on Wednesday, Sluss detailed a volatile relationship with Moynan, which included physical fights. At one point, he was charged and Moynan had a domestic violence protective order against him.

Sluss said at the time Moynan disappeared, they were living together, and he was caring for the kids, but they had no relationship. Sluss maintained that he did not kill Moynan, and that she left him of her own volition.

Pomeroy said Sluss made fake Facebook accounts to give off the appearance that Moynan was having affairs with other women.

Investigators said Sluss had been driving Moynan's car and using her cellphone, even pretending to be her in texts and Instagram posts to her family and friends.

"It was all disgustingly well-thought out," Tucker said. "Brian Sluss is a predator. He stalks his prey, he grooms and manipulates, he schemes and steals and cheats and kills."

In court on Wednesday, Sluss admitted to being deceptive and not forthcoming at times. Sluss also admitted to being on dating sites after her disappearance.

Sluss said he lied to Moynan about his age early in their relationship to mask the significant age disparity between them.

According to prosecutors, Moynan met Sluss when she was 18. Sluss, now in his 40s, was 20 years older than she was.

The trial lasted for three weeks.

Before the trial began, the district attorney decided not to pursue the death penalty against Sluss. It is very rare for a domestic homicide to end in the death penalty.