Des Moines sentenced to life in prison for beating girlfriend to death

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A Des Moines man has been sentenced to life in prison for beating his girlfriend to death.

61-year-old Derrick Earnest was convicted of first-degree murder in May 2025 in the death of 49-year-old Holly Snowgren.

Police say Earnest hit Snowgren with a wooden board, while also kicking and hitting her during an argument in an alley east of Good Park in Des Moines in April of 2024.

She later died from her injuries.

Earnest must also pay $150,000 in restitution to Snowgren's family.


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