URBANA — Matthew S. Puccio and four other others charged in connection with the stabbing and dismemberment of Jessica Rae Sacco have pleaded guilty to several charges in Champaign County Common Pleas Court.

Puccio, 26, pleaded guilty to aggravated murder among other charges, and faces life in prison.

Christopher Wright, 37; Sharon Cook, 25; Kandis Forney, 25; and Andrew Forney, 26, also pleaded to several charges Thursday after they were accused of helping cover up the crime and helping Puccio dispose of limbs in parts of southern Ohio and northern Kentucky.

The remains of Sacco, 21, were found in her West Light Street home after her landlord investigated the apartment and discovered her body in the bathtub.

Sue Taynor, Sacco’s mother, declined to discuss her thoughts on the case until the sentencing in August.

However, she is still trying to come to terms with the death of her daughter. It still does not seem real, she said.

“Emotionally, as a mother, the beast of the burden continues,” Taynor said.

It is difficult to frequently hear the disturbing details of her daughter’s death, Taynor said. She described Sacco as a funny, sweet woman who did not deserve her fate.

“She had a great sense of humor. She was always the class clown,” Taynor said.

Taynor said she first met Puccio last fall, shortly after he moved into the West Light Street home with Sacco. Early on, Taynor said she knew there was something about Puccio she didn’t like.

“He always averted his eyes,” Taynor said. “When people do that, then I know they are not who they say they are.”

Taynor also thanked the community for the support they have shown.

“This isn’t just about me and my family,” she said. “It’s about a community loss.”

Authorities have provided few details of the case. But in an interview shortly after his arrest, Puccio told the Springfield News-Sun that he suffocated and stabbed Sacco after a lengthy dispute they had in their home. He initially pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity but was ruled fit to stand trial.

Puccio pleaded guilty to charges that included one count each of felonious assault, aggravated murder, abuse of a corpse, gross abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence and an additional count of gross abuse of a corpse included in a bill of information.

Christopher Wright pleaded guilty to two counts of failure to report a crime and one count each of abuse of a corpse, gross abuse of a corpse and obstructing justice, according to prosecutors.

Kandis Forney pleaded guilty to one count each of failure to report a crime, complicity to tampering with evidence and obstructing justice.

Sharon Cook pleaded guilty to two counts of failure to report a crime and one count each of complicity to abuse of a corpse, complicity to gross abuse of a corpse, and complicity to tampering with evidence.

Andrew Forney pleaded guilty to nine counts that included failure to report a crime, gross abuse of a corpse, obstructing justice and complicity to tampering with evidence.

Kandis Forney is scheduled to face a sentencing hearing Aug. 21. Puccio and the remaining defendants are scheduled to face a sentencing hearing Aug. 20.