BROCKTON — A Brockton woman will spend life in prison after she was convicted Wednesday of brutally killing her boyfriend by stabbing him more than 42 times, the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office said.

A jury found 38-year-old Kathryn Podgurski guilty of first degree murder in the death of 44-year-old Joseph Shaw after a five-day trial.

She was sentenced to serve life in prison without possibility of parole.

A family member had reported Shaw missing to Brockton Police on July 17, 2017.

Get our free mobile app

Shaw's death was discovered four days later, on July 21, when a relative of Podgurski called Brockton Police and told them Podgurski said men had broken into her and Shaw's apartment, attempted to rob them, and killed Shaw.

Podgurski also told her relative they made her clean up the blood, according to the D.A.'s office.

The relative directed Brockton Police to the Elm Court Hotel.

Once they arrived, Podgurski directed the responding officers to her third-floor apartment at 42 Green Street, where she lived with Shaw.

They found Shaw’s body in a closet, buried under several items of clothing and bedding, a chair, and covered with kitty litter.

He had apparently been dead for some time.

Brockton and state police investigators found the victim had multiple severe stab wounds, consistent with homicide.

The medical examiner found Shaw to have been stabbed more than 42 times, severing his left leg below the knee and his right arm below the elbow.

At the trial, jurors heard details about how Podgurski killed Shaw, hid his body in the apartment closet and told police others killed him during a botched robbery.

“This defendant stabbed Mr. Shaw 42 times and left him to suffer with fatal wounds that were strong and deep,” Plymouth County District Attorney Timothy Cruz said.

“His family then had to suffer through gruesome testimony at trial about their loved one’s murder. I hope that with today’s verdict and sentence this family is finally able to find some peace.”

Light Up SouthCoast 2021: Holiday Light Displays Across the SouthCoast

Across the SouthCoast, homeowners are putting in the elbow grease to make sure their home shines the brightest. These light displays are a surefire way to bring holiday cheer to anyone. Make a plan to see them all!

LOOK: The top holiday toys from the year you were born

With the holiday spirit in the air, it’s the perfect time to dive into the history of iconic holiday gifts. Using national toy archives and data curated by The Strong from 1920 to today, Stacker searched for products that caught hold of the public zeitgeist through novelty, innovation, kitsch, quirk, or simply great timing, and then rocketed to success.

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420