A Regina man who killed a woman and hid her decomposing body in his basement for several months has been given a life sentence.

North Bear Buddy Carrier, 24, pleaded guilty Wednesday to second-degree murder in the September 2012 death of Tara Chartrand.

Justice Catherine Dawson accepted a joint submission from Crown and defence lawyers of life in prison with no eligibility of parole for 10 years.

Chartrand’s badly decomposed body was found wrapped in plastic and hidden beneath cardboard boxes on a couch in the basement of Carrier’s home in December 2012.

In a videotaped statement that was played in court, a visibly emotional Carrier told police that the victim tried to take all of his money after they had sex in his basement.

Carrier said an altercation ensued and he stabbed the woman, then wrapped a cord around her neck and choked her.

“I just wanted the rest of my money and it happened so fast,” Carrier said in his statement to police.

“I’m so sorry. I just panicked; I didn’t know what to do.”

A forensic report found Chartrand suffered four stab wounds to her chest and back, one of which penetrated her heart.

In victim impact statements, relatives of Chartrand said the loss of the 30-year-old mother of five has taken a significant toll on her family, both physically and emotionally.

A lawyer for Carrier said his client accepted responsibility for the crime, and was deeply remorseful for taking Chartrand’s life.

“It haunts me every day,” Carrier told the court before he was sentenced.

“From the very depth of my being, I’m sorry.”

Court heard Carrier had a troubled upbringing. Both of his parents were addicted to alcohol and drugs, and he began abusing substances at a young age.

The convicted killer’s mother, Darlene Carrier, told reporters outside the courthouse that alcohol and drugs can bring out the worst in people.

“He’s a good boy; I know that, I raised him. He is a good boy; he just has issues of anger management," she said.

“I hope this lady that’s gone has rest in her soul. I’m just numb right now as a mother.”