Marvin Bailey was initially charged with first-degree murder in connection to the death of 43-year-old Chaunti Bryla, according to Chicago police.
In March 2019, Bryla disappeared weeks after an alleged argument with Bailey and his girlfriend.
Her body has not been been located.
Prosecutors said Bailey is the half-brother of the victim's 10-year-old son. At the time, he was on parole and living at Bryla's South Side in winter 2018. The alleged argument started after Bryla demanded Bailey move out.
The video in the player above is from a previous report.
Nearly six years after her disappearance, Bailey entered a guilty plea on counts of conspiracy to commit first degree murder, amended from first-degree murder and conceal homicidal death.
Cook County Assistant State's Attorney James Murphy said Bryla's DNA was found inside a large blue bin that prosecutors say was in Bailey's possession for days.
Prosecutors said Bailey took the bin to a hotel room at 128th and Ashland.
They said Bailey was last seen with the container on surveillance video behind a strip mall next door to the hotel.
Prosecutors also said Bailey was captured on surveillance video withdrawing money from the victim's bank card and making purchases for bungee cords and straps.
Before he was arrested, Bailey was on parole for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
After hearing the evidence laid out in court, Bryla's loved ones left the Leighton Criminal Courthouse overcome with emotion.
"They're really sick to their stomach right now," said community activist Andrew Holmes. "They weren't expecting to hear what they heard today."
Bailey is due in court on Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025.