The former boyfriend of a Sherman Oaks woman who managed the business affairs of the Kardashians and other celebrities was sentenced Tuesday, Oct. 21, to 25 years to life in state prison for her murder just days before Christmas in 2021.
Jason Barker, 52, pleaded no contest in July to first-degree murder in connection with the death of Angela “Angie” Kukawski.
At sentencing Tuesday in the Van Nuys courthouse, Barker apologized to members of the victim’s family who attended the hearing.
“I can’t take it back and (Kukawski) didn’t deserve it,” Barker said. “I can’t say how sorry I am for what I did. … I have to live with that for the rest of my life. I am deeply sorry.”
Los Angeles police detectives believe Barker killed Kukawski, 55, inside the Sherman Oaks home they shared, placed her body inside her vehicle and drove it to Simi Valley, where it was abandoned, police said shortly after his arrest.
Kukawski worked as a business manager at Boulevard Management in Woodland Hills, with clients including Nicki Minaj, Offset, the Kardashians and Ye. She was a mother of five.
According to Los Angeles police, Kukawski was reported missing from her home on Dec. 22, 2021.
The following day, while officers were conducting a follow-up on the missing-persons report, they found Kukawski dead inside her car, which was parked on the street.
Barker was arrested on suspicion of murder.
Kukawski’s son, Adam, told the court that Barker has “lived rent-free in our heads for years — and now (he) will be evicted.”
A daughter of the victim, Sarah, said the family was “torn apart” by the murder, but said she refuses to harbor anger toward the defendant.
“It’s not worth my time,” she said.
Before imposing sentence, Judge Joseph Brandolino said he hoped the family would find peace.
“My only hope is you’ll have some solace going forward,” the judge said from the bench.