Woman pleads guilty in killing of man who was locked in trunk, stabbed with machete

A woman named Kendra Panteah pleaded guilty to kidnapping a man in New Mexico, who was later fatally stabbed by another man, Gilbert John Jr. Panteah was involved in the incident, but did not commit the murder. The pair were using drugs, including methamphetamine, before the killing occurred. After the murder, John set the victim’s car on fire to cover up the crime. Panteah stated in her plea agreement that she drove the victim’s car with him locked in the trunk to a remote location. Both Panteah and John face significant prison sentences for their roles in the crime. Panteah’s attorney attributed the tragic events to substance abuse issues in Native American communities.