Man Gets Life For killing Ex-Girlfriend In Delaware County: DA

LANSDOWNE, PA — A Philadelphia man was sentenced to life without parole after admitting to killing his ex-girlfriend upon seeing photos of her with other men on her cell phone, Delaware County authorities said.

According to authorities, Benjamin Boykins, 34, of Philadelphia, was sentenced Monday to life without parole for the murder of Tanika Kirkpatrick, 43, of Lansdowne.

Boykins pleaded guilty to first-degree murder Monday in Delaware County court.

Boykins was charged with first-, second- and third- degree murder, criminal homicide, kidnapping, tampering with evidence and abuse of corpse.

"Justice has been done today for Tanika Kirkpatrick," Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer said. "While we are grateful for the swift resolution of this case, we are also acutely aware that nothing can undo the trauma and loss that have been inflicted on the victim’s family, particularly her children. Our thoughts and prayers go out to them, and to the community."

Authorities said that Boykins told them he saw photographs of Kirkpatrick with other men on her phone, which caused him to become angry. He admitted choking her to death. He said he then carried the victim out of the house in a bag, took the body to his home, and then hid the body in a trash can.

Three days before her murder, Kirkpatrick had obtained an emergency protection from abuse order against Boykins, Stollsteimer said. "But in the end, it was not enough to protect her from this defendant."

Lansdowne Police launched the investigation after Kirkpatrick was reported missing. Authorities found a large stain of what appeared to be blood on the victim's comforter, and detected an odor of bleach or another cleaning solvent in the bedroom in Kirkpatrick's Lansdowne home.

Officers spoke with Kirkpatrick's two children, who said that they had not seen their mother since about 9 p.m. the previous evening. Authorities found Kirkpatrick's vehicle, which was parked near the residence, with the keys and cell phone left inside. Cell phone records showed the last call received on the phone was on Nov. 16, 2020 from the Boykins.

Authorities also confirmed blood was inside Kirkpatrick's vehicle. Surveillance video of the Boykins' residence showed he arrived at his residence in Kirkpatrick's vehicle on the morning of Nov. 17, 2020. He was seen carrying a large and heavy object into the residence.

Records were obtained for Boykins' cell phone, which showed he was in Michigan.

Pennsylvania State Parole was notified that Boykins was a suspect in a missing person case where foul play was suspected, and a warrant was issued for his extradition. Then on Nov. 20, 2020 the US Marshal Service located Boykins in Flint, Michigan, and he was turned over to the Michigan State Police.

Boykins was later extradited from Michigan to Delaware County.

On Feb. 9, Boykins waived his rights and agreed to speak with detectives. It was at that time he admitting to killing his ex-girlfriend, the DA said