Moment Kentucky man confesses to cops that he brutally murdered his girlfriend after he took out life insurance policy for 'accidental death'

Newly released body cam footage shows a Kentucky man admitting to killing his girlfriend as he was questioned by officers after being arrested. 

Tommy Powell was convicted of Amberly Harris’ murder at Kenton County Court after he pleaded guilty in August. Last month, he was sentenced to life. 

Shortly after taking out a $20,000 Eagle Financial Services life insurance policy on her for ‘accidental death and dismemberment’, he shot Harris, 32, in the head in December 2022. 

He had nominated himself as the beneficiary of her policy.  

Tommy Powell was convicted of Amberly Harris’ murder at Kenton County Court after he pleaded guilty in August. Last month, he was sentenced to life

The footage shows a detective knocking on Powell’s house in Independence and asking, ‘Is Amberly here?’ The killer responded, ‘No. She passed away. I shot her.’ 

The video shows two detectives then entering the house to find Harris’ dead body, which they do in a back room

The footage shows a detective knocking on Powell’s house in Independence and asking, ‘Is Amberly here?’

The killer responded, ‘No. She passed away. I shot her.’

The video shows two detectives then entering the house to find Harris’ dead body, which they do in a back room. 

Powell later told them he killed his girlfriend three days before they knocked on his door. A third officer is then seen handcuffing Powell and reading his Miranda rights. 

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He later told police that he ‘lost control’ during an argument with his dead girlfriend, admitting he killed her with a ’20-gauge’ shotgun. They were able to recover the murder weapon inside the couple’s house. 

During the trial, Kenton County Commonwealth Attorney Rob Sanders said Powell had a history of violence against Harris.

In April 2022, he was convicted of a domestic violence assault. According to court records, Powell struck Harris in the face and choked her to the point of blacking out after an argument at their apartment over her social media.

Harris had arrived at the Independence Police Department after the assault with abrasions and bruises on her neck, face and chest. 

Powell later told them he killed his girlfriend three days before they knocked on his door. A third officer is then seen handcuffing Powell and reading his Miranda rights.

He later told police that he ‘lost control’ during an argument with his dead girlfriend, admitting he killed her with a ’20-gauge’ shotgun

Harris’s sister, Jessica Mann, attended Powell’s sentencing and said his actions left her with an immeasurable loss

Her killer was sentenced to conditional discharge and ordered to undergo anger management and domestic violence treatment, which he did not do.  

Powell’s attorney argued during the murder trial that his history of mental health issues, addiction and service in the Navy should be kept in mind while being judged. 

The murderer had written an apology letter to Harris for killing her. 

Harris’s sister, Jessica Mann, attended Powell’s sentencing and said his actions left her with an immeasurable loss. 

‘Losing my sister was like losing a piece of my heart. It’s never going to grow back,’ Mann said. 

Powell will have to serve at least 20 years of his sentence before being considered for parole.