Lake Charles, Louisiana - A Lake Charles man has been convicted of first degree murder and other charges after brutally killing a victim and using her identity for more than a month before her body was discovered.

Christopher T. Cater, 43, of Lake Charles, Louisiana, was found guilty as charged on September 18 of first degree murder, identity theft, and unlawful disposal of remains, according to the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office.

The violent crime occurred in July 2023, when Cater beat the victim to death. Following the murder, Cater drove the victim's vehicle with her body still inside and continued to use her home while accessing her banking information, prosecutors said.

The victim's body remained undiscovered for approximately one month after the murder. In August 2023, authorities found her remains inside her own vehicle.

Cater's sentencing is scheduled for October 7 before Judge Kendrick Guidry in Calcasieu Parish. First degree murder carries the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty in Louisiana.

First Assistant District Attorney Jacob Johnson and Assistant District Attorney Christopher Guelzow handled the prosecution for the Calcasieu Parish District Attorney's Office.

The case involved multiple felony charges beyond the murder conviction. Identity theft is a separate felony that can carry significant prison time, while unlawful disposal of remains addresses the defendant's actions in concealing the victim's body for an extended period.

The conviction represents the conclusion of the trial phase, with sentencing proceedings to determine Cater's punishment for the crimes.

The investigation and prosecution required coordination between law enforcement agencies and the district attorney's office to build the case that led to guilty verdicts on all charges filed against Cater.