John Hilyard pleaded guilty to reckless manslaughter Tuesday in the 2009 death of his 45-year-old wife, Chun-Yan. She was a local artist known for her portraits and landscapes.
Hilyard said he dumped his wife's body near Fenton Mill's Creek so that their three sons wouldn't see their mother dead when they woke in their Egg Harbor Township home.
Prosecutors said the couple had a history of domestic violence.
The Press of Atlantic City reported the sons are living with their mother's brother in South Africa, with the father's consent.
Hilyard faces at least nine years in prison when he's sentenced on April 13.
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Information from: The Press of Atlantic City, http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com