Illinois Man Sentenced for Murder of Two Campers

A southern Illinois man has been ordered to spend more than 50 years in prison for the shooting deaths of two people while they were on a camping and fishing trip.

Thirty-seven-year-old Danny Coston of Carmi was sentenced Tuesday to 53 years in prison.

He was convicted in White County last month of murder and sexual assault in connection with the August 2012 deaths of 22-year-old Jacob Wheeler and 17-year-old Jessica Evans.

Authorities say Wheeler and Evans had been camping and fishing along the Little Wabash River and were reported missing after they didn't return home. Searchers found Evans' body the next day, and Wheeler's body was discovered later.

Coston's girlfriend, Candice Brown, has pleaded not guilty and awaits trial on related charges of obstructing justice.