He Stabbed Her 217 Times Because She Said She Was 'Done.' Now Her Mother Has a Message for the Killer

He Stabbed Her 217 Times Because She Said She Was 'Done.' Now Her Mother Has a Message for the Killer

A Life Sentence for an Unimaginable Crime

A Massachusetts man has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the brutal murder of his ex-girlfriend.

Bruce Maiben, 48, was convicted of first-degree murder on November 3, 2025, for killing 40-year-old Sherell Pringle, a mother from Woburn who was found dead in Rumney Marsh Reservation in Saugus two days after she went missing on December 19, 2021.

Sherell Pringle - Woburn Police Department

“She had been stabbed more than 217 times,” Boston 25 News reported — a level of violence prosecutors said showed extreme atrocity or cruelty under Massachusetts law.

“This verdict and sentence ensure the defendant will be held accountable for his senseless and atrocious conduct,” said Essex County District Attorney Paul F. Tucker. “We hope the family and friends of Sherell Pringle can find some comfort in this outcome.”

Court records show Pringle texted a friend shortly before her death, saying she was “done with [Maiben]” after he had illegally entered her home and threatened her with a knife, according to Boston.com.

Bruce Maiben - Woburn Police Department

Remembering Sherell Pringle

Those who knew Sherell described her as ambitious, joyful, and devoted to her teenage son. She loved traveling, shopping, and photography — and had just placed an offer on a new home that was approved days after her death.

At sentencing, her mother, Pearl Garner, faced Maiben in court. “You’re scum,” she said. “I hope you rot in hell for what you did. You don’t deserve to be walking here.”

Garner said her daughter’s funeral had to be closed-casket because of the brutality of the attack — an image no mother should ever have to endure.

The Law Behind the Sentence

Under Massachusetts law, first-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence without the possibility of parole. The charge applies to killings that are premeditated or committed with extreme atrocity or cruelty (Mass. Gen. Laws c. 265, § 1).

Criminal attorney Brad Bailey, a former federal prosecutor, explains:

“In Massachusetts, first-degree murder involves deliberate intent or extreme cruelty. A conviction guarantees life in prison with no chance of parole.”
— Brad Bailey Law, 2024

For Pringle’s family, the sentence represents accountability — but not closure. Her teenage son must now grow up without his mother, while loved ones continue to speak out about the warning signs of intimate-partner violence.

The Hidden Dangers of Leaving an Abusive Partner

Advocates warn that the moment a victim decides to leave an abuser is often the most dangerous time. Pringle’s final text — “done with him” — tragically echoed that pattern.

If you or someone you know is experiencing threats or violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or Massachusetts SafeLink at 1-877-785-2020 for confidential support.

Domestic violence experts say early intervention — reporting stalking, threats, or unlawful entry — can be the difference between safety and tragedy.

A Tragic Reminder

Sherell Pringle’s murder is more than a court case — it’s the violent silencing of a woman trying to reclaim her life. Justice may have been served, but peace remains elusive for those she left behind.

Her story stands as a warning about how control can turn to rage and as a plea for awareness. Before the law steps in, there’s a chance to stop the next tragedy — to listen, to believe, and to act.