Tifton man sentenced to life in shooting death of wife

Published 7:17 am Friday, April 21, 2023

TIFTON — A Tifton man pleaded guilty Thursday to charges stemming from the 2021 death of his wife.

Matthew Howard of Tifton pleaded guilty to felony murder, aggravated assault and concealing the death of another in connection with the shooting death of his wife, Diana Laura Aguirre, according to a statement from the Tift District Attorney’s Office.

Chief Superior Court Judge Bill Reinhardt sentenced Howard to life in prison.

Howard was charged in the March 4, 2021 shooting of his wife at their home then attempting to hide her body in the back yard, according to the district attorney’s office.

The case was handled by Patrick Warren, Tifton Circuit chief assistant district attorney, Melissa Luke, investigator, and Latricia Sumner, victim advocate.

The Tifton Police Department was the lead law enforcement agency, and the case was handled by former Investigator Chad Wentworth.

“I commend Investigator Wentworth and Tifton PD for their work on this case and our team from the DA’s Office in preparing this case for trial,” Tifton Circuit District Attorney Bryce Johnson said. “Their hard work made today’s resolution possible.”