VALENTINE, Neb. – A northwest Nebraska jury has found a 27-year-old Kilgore man guilty of first-degree murder in the killing of a 52-year-old woman with an ax, according to court filings in Cherry County District Court.

Kevin Kilmer was convicted of first-degree murder and use of a weapon to commit a felony in Cherry County District Court on Tuesday.

According to an arrest affidavit, a woman called authorities on Aug. 23, 2021, saying that Kilmer had in her residence in Eli. She told authorities that Kilmer showed up wearing only underwear, and that he had blood on his arms and hands. Kilmer reportedly told Heath that he had killed a woman named “Ruth,” later identified as Ruth Wittmuss.

He was arrested the following morning, and the body of Wittmuss was located in a rural location near Kilgore.

Kilmer is scheduled to be sentenced November 17th.