A New Orleans man was convicted of manslaughter in the October 2022 killing of his girlfriend in the 7th Ward where he attempted to cover-up the crime by claiming the victim died by suicide, according to Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams.

A jury found Zachary Alexander Cheek, 29, guilty of manslaughter, felon in possession of a firearm and obstruction of justice in connection to the shooting of Sarah Horrigan, 25, court records show. He was initially charged with second-degree murder.

On Oct. 8, 2022, Cheek called 911 from the couple's 7th Ward residence at about 3 a.m. and reported Horrigan's supposed suicide, officials said.

Horrigan was found dead on the toilet with a shot to the chest from an AR-15 style rifle. The Orleans Parish Coroner's Office later determined th

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