BATH, N.Y. (WENY) -- Brett Heffner was sentenced on Tuesday, May 16th in a court in Bath to 25 years to life for the murder of 26-year-old Keli Collins on August 5, 2022. Heffner was initially accused of sexually assaulting Collins before strangling her to death. 

On August 4th, 2022, "Keli had been seen with the defendant earlier in the day and there had been some ongoing conflict with him, again. rebuffing his advances. He made some ominous statements about her not wanting to be with him and expressing an attempt to rape her if he couldn't get his way," said D.A. Brooks Baker. 

Keli's Mom, Dad, Brother, Sister, and Aunt all made emotional victim impact statements directed at Hefner while speaking directly to Judge Phillip Roche.

"She was a firecracker... and her children will never (know) her through more than photos," said an aunt of Collins during a victim impact statement. 

Members of Collins' family said her children still think she died in her sleep, and that as a result, they are still afraid to go to sleep. Family members spoke not only of the life Collins lead but how her absence still hurts everyone in her family. 

"I was very proud of the person she became... she would stop whatever she was doing to help someone," said Colleen Collins, mother of Keli, during the hearing.

Baker said he Colleen's impact statement is still clearly etched into his mind.  

"I think the most poignant thing in that room today was Colleen Collins when she said 'All I want is my daughter back, and I can't have that ' and that's what we talked about we couldn't do justice in that courtroom today. Justice is making the victim whole. We couldn't do that," Baker said. 

During Heffner's sentencing hearing the WENY News reporter on the scene said he remained silent, barely moving. When asked if he had a statement he wanted to make before his sentencing he declined. Judge Roche was visibly shaken handing down Heffner's sentence of 25 years to life. 

As part of Heffner's plea deal, he waived his right to appeal and will serve the maximum sentence of 25 years to life in prison. 

After the murder, Heffner fled Collins' apartment, stealing her car. He was later taken into custody in Hornell in the early morning after a traffic stop and later confessed to the murder.

In September of 2022, a grand jury indicted Heffner on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, second-degree murder, first-degree rape, second-degree burglary, first-degree falsifying business records, and fourth-degree grand larceny, among other charges. District Attorney Brooks Baker previously told WENY News the guilty plea of second-degree murder not only satisfied the other charges but also avoided a criminal trial, which he said was the best outcome for the family of Collins. 

"I hope you suffer every single breath you take on this planet," said Colleen Collins to Heffner. 

Keli was laid to rest in New Hampshire next to her extended family. She leaves behind two young kids, in addition to her two siblings and parents. Heffner is expected to be transferred to a New York State Correctional facility in the coming days.