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A Currituck County man charged with the violent 2018 death of 35-year-old Adam Weslee Markert pleaded guilty Monday and was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

During an appearance in Currituck County Superior Court, Lucas Daniel Molesky, 27, admitted to killing Markert and, when questioned by Superior Court Judge Jerry Tillett, Molesky confirmed that he understood details of a plea agreement and the consequences for the first-degree murder conviction.

Providing a review of several case details, Assistant District Attorney Kim Pellini told the court that Currituck County Sheriff’s Office deputies were called to a Coinjock Village Drive home shortly before 8 p.m. on the evening of December 4, 2018. When they arrived, they found the body of Markert with more than 80 stab wounds. In addition to signs of a struggle with a large amount of blood, Markert had also been shot several times after he was already dead. There were also four guns missing from the home.

The investigation by detectives and State Bureau of Investigation agents into Markert’s death led officers to seek the whereabouts of then 25-year-old Molesky, who lived at the same address with Markert.

Molesky was located early the next morning on South Military Highway in Chesapeake, Va. where, after pulling a gun that led to a brief standoff with officers, he was eventually talked into surrendering and taken into custody without further incident. He has been in custody for the 909 days since his arrest.

Sitting quietly during the court proceedings with defense attorney Jay Hollingsworth, Molesky wore a black face covering over his lower face and stood to answer questions from Tillett. After confirming Molesky understood what he was doing and that he was entering a plea without threats or promises, Tillett pronounced sentence: life in prison without any chance of parole.

There was no mention of any motive for the slaying. Molesky’s plea to the charge does avoid a jury trial and possibility of a death penalty.

During the trial, Markert’s family members were offered an opportunity to speak while Pellini held a larger-than-life portrait photo of Markert. In their comments, Markert’s mother, Bonny Blanchard; sister, Sarah A. Markert; and uncle, Currituck Board of Commissioners Chairman Mike Payment, talked about how a productive life was snuffed out and how much they loved and missed him.

Outside the courtroom, Payment said Markert’s death was uncalled for but that he was satisfied with the judgment.

“It has been a difficult time for the family,” he added.

Blanchard said her son’s murder “is the hardest thing I have ever been through. I miss my son.”

She went on to say that although she believes “the defendant needs to die for his actions” she is satisfied with the outcome since it means there will be no appeal nor will Molesky have a chance of probation, ever.

“I am satisfied that he will stay there and die in prison,” she added.

Family members said also that at the time of his murder, Markert had been in a long term relationship with Molesky’s mother, Pam Molesky, and they all shared the same home in Coinjock. However, they also termed the relationship as a “toxic” situation, which may have ultimately led to problems with Molesky.

Sarah Markert said her brother was trying to get out of the relationship and he had moved some of his possessions out of the residence. Molesky’s mother was out of town at the time of the murder.

Attempts to reach Molesky’s defense attorney for comment Monday afternoon were not successful.

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