Raleigh, NC – On Thursday, for the first time in local history, a Wake County court convicted a man of murder – without having the victim’s body to prove there was a crime. Brian Slash was sentenced to life in prison after jurors found him guilty of killing his 23-year-old ex-girlfriend, Monica Moinan. The state was able to charge Sluss with first-degree murder, although Moynan’s body was never found. The case started in 2019 as a missing person case and closed today as a murder. The victim’s mother, Melanie Tucker, cried and cheered as the verdict was read Thursday in Wake County Court. The family hugged and Moynan’s parents went to court before his sentencing. “He should have taken care of her and protected her, but instead he killed her,” said Curtis Moinan, the victim’s father. Brandon Tucker’s father added: “There is a mental anguish in knowing what you did to Moni. An anguish that causes sleepless nights and leaves an eternal hole in our hearts.” Crying, Melanie Tucker’s mother said: “I will never be able to hug my middle child again. I will never be able to listen to her, be comfortable with her, talk to her about all things. Literally, all things. “ The members of the jury were emotional, they hugged the family after the sentencing. Slas showed no emotion on his face. Prosecutors said the documented history of domestic violence in the relationship, along with the blood found in their shared home, could lead to a single conclusion. The state uses a law called Britny’s Law, which allows jurors to find evidence of first-degree murder if there are previous convictions for domestic violence involving the same victim. Tucker gave a passionate and moving speech following the announcement of the jury’s decision. “It was a vibrating force, it was magnetic, its energy was very strong,” said her mother. “A piece of our family puzzle is gone forever. Brian Sluss took it from us. He took it from all our friends, her family and her future. But above all, he took a mother from her children. . “ As the verdict was read, Wake County Assistant Attorney General Kathryn Pomeri also began to cry. Tucker said it hurt even more that Schlus had pretended to be Moinan and decided to plead not guilty. For more than two hours of live scrutiny on Wednesday, Sluss had an unstable relationship with Moynan, which included physical altercations. At one point, he was charged and Moynan had a protection order for domestic violence against him. Sluss said that at the time Moynan disappeared, they were living together and taking care of the children, but they had nothing to do. Sluss claimed that he did not kill Moynan and that she left him of her own free will. Pomeroy said Sluss set up fake Facebook accounts to reveal that Moynan was having an affair with other women. Investigators say Sluss drove Moynan’s car and used her cell phone, even posing as herself in Instagram messages and posts to family and friends. “It was all disgustingly well thought out,” Tucker said. “Brian Sluss is a predator. He chases his prey, beautifies and manipulates, tricks and steals, cheats and kills.” In court Wednesday, Sluss admitted he was misleading and was not present from time to time. Sluss also admitted that she was on dating sites after her disappearance. Sluss said he lied to Moynan about his early age in their relationship to hide the significant age difference between them. According to prosecutors, Moynan met Sluss when he was 18 years old. Sluss, now 40, was 20 years older than her. The trial lasted three weeks. Before the trial began, the prosecutor decided not to pursue the death penalty against Sluss. It is very rare for a homicide to result in the death penalty.
