'You are the definition of a coward': Serial killer and rapist locked up for killing a woman he once dated

A man convicted of several rapes and a murder admitted to the killing of a college student he once dated.

He will now never hurt another woman again.

This month, a judge in Texas sentenced Reginald Kimbro to life in prison for the rape and murder of Molly Jane Matheson in 2017. Kimbro pleaded guilty to the crime. The two previously dated as Matheson attended the University of Arkansas, but they were not together at the time of her death.

The Tarrant County District Attorney’s Office announced the sentence.

Matheson’s body was found on April 10, 2017, by her mom after she did not show up for work, according to prosecutors. She was beaten and strangled. Kimbro tried to destroy evidence by washing in the shower and doing a load of laundry.

But he left behind his underwear.

Police connected Kimbro to the crime through DNA, cell phone records and other evidence.

Police connected Kimbro to the crime through DNA, cell phone records and other evidence.

“I honestly have nothing to say to you,” said David Matheson, according to comments provided by the district attorney’s office. “You don’t exist. You don’t occupy any space in my head. You never will. You are the definition of a coward.”

Kimbro had previously pleaded guilty to the killing of a woman a few days after Matheson’s murder. Megan Getrum was raped and then strangled when she was on a hike in Dallas County. Kimbro pleaded guilty to that crime and was also sentenced to life in prison.

During the investigation, police also connected Kimbro to several rape cases throughout Texas in 2012 and 2014. He was sentenced to decades in prison for those crimes.

In 2019, the Texas legislature passed Molly Jane’s Law, which required police investigating sexual assault to input data into a national database, according to prosecutors. The effort to create the law was led by the Matheson family.

“The women affected by Kimbro’s crimes are incredibly brave for coming forward with their experiences,” Assistant Tarrant County Criminal District Attorney Page Simpson said. “This plea allows the Matheson and Getrum families to finally hear him admit what he did and simultaneously ensures he cannot do it again.”