Lomita Police Dept.
David Viens, a chef who told police he cooked his wife's body in boiling water, left, was sentenced in Los Angeles on March 22, 2013 to 15 years to life in prison for second-degree murder.
Viens gave a rambling, 45-minute speech during his sentencing, saying the story he told police about cooking the body was a lie.
He said he was disoriented at the time after having surgery for injuries he suffered when he jumped off a cliff.
The 49-year-old Viens was convicted in September 2012 of killing of 39-year-old Dawn Viens in 2009. Her body was never found.
In a recorded interrogation presented at trial, Viens said he cooked her body for four days to get rid of evidence. Authorities said he leaped off a cliff after learning he was a suspect in Dawn's disappearance.
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
David Viens' booking photo.
LA Crime Stoppers
An undated personal photo of Dawn Viens.
Google Maps
A Google street view of Thyme Cafe in Lomita, Calif. David Viens was the head chef at the restaurant, which is based in the greater Los Angeles area, according to LinkedIn.
