Man pleads guilty to killing estranged wife

Chester, Conn. (WTNH) - A Chester man pleaded guilty to the deadly stabbing of his estranged wife that happened nearly two years ago.

From the very beginning police investigators had little doubt that 49-year-old John Belanger committed the crime saying that the evidence against him was overwhelming.

It was 7:15 on a snowy February night in 2010 when 911 operators received a desperate call from a home in Chester. A frantic 51-year-old Bonnie McKay Belanger was on the other end of the line saying her estranged husband was trying to get inside.

When police got to the scene, Bonnie Belanger was fighting for her life after suffering several stab wounds. There was blood on the door and windows.

"She was a nice lady," said Charles Dodd, neighbor. "God, it's a shame."

Police would track down John Belanger in Old Saybrook, shortly after the attack.

Later in court, prosecutors made it clear they had the evidence to put him away.

"The strength of this case adds to the risk of flight," prosecutors said. "The victim's dying declaration and the suspect was covered with a blood-looking substance when he was caught, add to the state's case."

Bonnie Belanger was killed, despite the fact that she had taken out a protective order against her estranged husband.

The two were in the process of getting a divorce at the time of the attack.

John Belanger is scheduled to be sentenced on March 21st. He faces 35 years in prison.