A former city correction officer was sentenced today to 22 years to life in prison for beating his girlfriend's mom to death.

Ralph Keppler, 30, pleaded guilty to murder and other charges last year. Prosecutors say Keppler beat Theresa Kiel, a Malverne Middle School teacher, with a metal barbell outside her Long Beach home in 2016.

Kiel survived the attack but remained in a vegetative state until she died from her injuries in 2018.

Kiel's daughter is also facing murder charges.