Amy O'Brien

But what he did after that was the most shocking part.

It wasn't an attempt to cover up this crime like we often see.

It was something far more chilling.

Investigators allege that Thomas wrapped Annette's body in blankets, placed her in a shopping cart, and pushed her body around the city for days before ultimately dumping her remains in a trash can near the park.

See, Thomas was reportedly homeless at the time, and several witnesses came forward saying they saw him moving Annette's body in the shopping cart.

Many of them also say that he was relying on parks and public spaces for shelter, but wasn't trying to hide that shopping cart at all.

It was just in plain sight and he was pushing it around.

One witness also came forward and told police that Thomas admitted to what he did, allegedly saying, you know, I killed my wife and paraded her around.

And what makes this even more difficult to hear is that it wasn't a surprise to anyone, including law enforcement.

And we also, unfortunately, hear this all the time.

And this case is no different.

Thomas and Annette had long documented history of domestic violence.

And over the past two years, police had responded to dozens of calls involving the couple.

Annette had multiple protection orders against Thomas, alleging this ongoing abuse.

And in fact, one incident just weeks before her death, police say Thomas had attempted to force his way into her apartment, damaging her door and her ring camera while she was inside.

And then after that incident, Thomas was arrested.

But despite everything he had done, he was released from jail on November 21st, which was just one week before Annette was last seen alive.

And after Annette's body was found, Thomas was then charged with first-degree murder, tampering with a deceased human body, domestic violence as a habitual offender, and multiple violations of a protection order.

And prosecutors unfortunately say that this case reflected a pattern of escalating violence and repeated system failures that left Annette exposed to the person that was most likely going to kill her.

So obviously this is extremely sad.