A 47-year-old man was sentenced yesterday to 15 years to life in state prison for killing his mother and placing her body in the trunk of her car, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office announced.

At Monday's court appearance, Clifton Huang of Hacienda Heights pleaded no contest to second degree murder in case KA103010. The defendant was immediately sentenced after his plea.

Deputy District Attorney Babette Huley of the Victim Impact Program, who prosecuted the case, said Huang was the son of victim, Vilma Chau, 63

In August 2013, Chau's family members went to her home after she failed to show up at a gathering, the prosecutor said. The family members encountered Huang, who said he had not seen his mother for a few days. As a result, the family members left the home, according to the prosecutor.

The next day, the family members returned to the home and discovered the victim's body in the trunk of her Mercedes-Benz. Chau was bound and tied, the prosecutor added.

Authorities were called and Huang was subsequently charged with Chau's killing on Sept. 3, 2013.

The case was investigated by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Los Angeles County District Attorney / case KA103010 / February 28, 2017