Convicted killer smiles, laughs as judge hands down life sentence for murdering sister and burying her in yard

TAMPA - Justice has finally arrived for Karen Pais, the Carrollwood woman whose 2021 disappearance ended in a grisly discovery in her own backyard. Her sister, 72-year-old Debra Patton, was sentenced to life in prison for her murder on Monday morning.

Following a trial that was delayed for years by competency evaluations and legal maneuvering, a Hillsborough County jury took just about one hour of deliberation to return a guilty verdict against Patton.

The backstory:

Prosecutors successfully argued that Patton shot her sister in the chest before wrapping her body in bags and burying her a foot deep in the backyard of the home they shared on Cypress Park Street. Though a specific motive was never established, friends of the victim testified that Patton had been living in the home rent-free and that the siblings' relationship had been fractured for years.

For those close to Karen Pais, the verdict brings a somber sense of relief. Throughout the trial, friends testified about Karen’s growing fear of her sister.

What they're saying:

"Karen told us—all of us—on many times, ‘If I end up missing or something happens to me, Debra did it,’" recalled Cathy Wyncoop, a lifelong friend of the victim.

Despite the tension, Karen’s loved ones say she refused to kick Debra out because of her "great heart," often telling friends, "She’s my sister. I love her. She’s got no one else to turn to."

READ: Parkland shooting: Battle over Florida gun laws continues eight years after 17 killed

The case, which began in May 2021, was stalled for nearly five years. Shortly after her arrest, Patton was found incompetent to stand trial and spent two years receiving treatment at a mental hospital. Upon her return to the court system, she further delayed proceedings by unsuccessfully requesting new legal counsel and challenging the competency of her own attorneys.

"I had a lot of anger towards her," Cathy Wyncoop said following the verdict in January. "I still probably do, but it doesn't feel as bad now, because I know where she’s going to be. I don’t have to worry about her getting out."

Case Timeline

• May 2021: Karen Pais reported missing; her body is found buried in her Carrollwood backyard. Debra Patton was arrested.
• 2022–2024: Patton found incompetent to stand trial; remains in a state mental hospital for treatment.
• February 2025: Judge rules Patton is now competent; trial set for early 2026.
• January 2026: Jury returns guilty verdict for second-degree murder after one hour of deliberation.
• February 16, 2026: Final sentencing hearing.

What they're saying:

Several of Karen Pais's friends spoke during Patton's sentencing hearing on Monday.

Patton was facing a minimum of decades in prison, but some of Karen's friends were happy to see her receive a life sentence.

"She took our friend's life," Joel Wynkoop said. "It's not like our friend comes back from heaven and can start their life over again. So, she shouldn't get a second chance either."

Joel and Cathy Wynkoop were long time friends of Karen. They say Karen had always warned them about her sister, because they had a strained relationship.

"If you find my body, (my) sister did it," Wynkoop said. "That was her going away call. She wasn't being funny. She just was stating it."

Karen's friends feel like justice was served.

"To hear life, is final," Cathy Wynkoop said. "It just feels really good. I can't even imagine. I'm just very, very happy. And like you said, 'It's final, there is no parole. There is no maybe later. There's no time off good behavior."

The other side:

Patton spoke during her sentencing hearing, where she was seen smiling and laughing on multiple occasions.

"Your honor, thank you," Pattons said. "I do stand here blameless for this. I do intend to appeal the verdict. I do also forgive everything that I just heard in here that was a lie."

Patton vowed to continue to fight the case.

However, the judge spoke to Patton moments before he sentenced her to life in prison.

"The cold, calculated way that you perpetrated this crime," Hon. Robin Fuson said. "You say you stand there blameless, nobody else agrees with you. I certainly don't. The jury certainly doesn't."

Patton was then heard interrupting the judge, smiling and laughing as he made his final remarks.

"When I watched the video and saw you just calmly take the shovel and walk back into the house to bury your sister's body, it's unfathomable," Fuson said. "'You should've watched the whole video'. This is not your time to speak. It's your time to listen."

Tampa