MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) — The man who authorities say helped his cousin, Jeffrey Willis, move Jessica Heeringa’s body could be set free after he is sentenced this afternoon.
The day before his trial was set to begin in November, Kevin Bluhm pleaded no contest to being an accessory after the fact in Heeringa’s murder.
He has already been behind bars for about 19 months. Sentencing guidelines call for between zero and nine months in prison. That means he’ll likely be sentenced to time served and possibly released.
Bluhm, a former state prison guard, told investigators he helped his cousin bury Heeringa’s body not far from Willis’ home north of Muskegon. He then said that was a lie, leading to a perjury charge and eventual guilty plea.
But authorities say they think at least part of what Bluhm told detectives was true, which is why he was charged with being an accessory. Heeringa’s body wasn’t found where Bluhm said he and Willis left it, but Muskegon County Prosecutor D.J. Hilson said authorities think Willis moved it later.
>>Inside woodtv.com: The Jeffrey Willis investigation