Sioux City man sentenced to life in prison for killing his girlfriend

SIOUX CITY (KTIV) – A Sioux City man was sentenced to life in prison after being found guilty in 2023 of killing his girlfriend.

Austyn Self, 24, received the life sentence on Friday, Oct. 18, according to court documents. Self pleaded guilty Friday, August 9, to three counts of child endangerment and one count of first-degree murder.

Documents show Self was also ordered to pay $150,000 in restitution, in addition to court costs and the fees of a court-appointed attorney.

Self's conviction stems from a fatal shooting that occurred on Nebraska Street around 9:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, when Sioux City police were called to a domestic disturbance.

When Sioux City officers arrived at the scene, they found 31-year-old Sarah Zoelle suffering from a gunshot wound. Zoelle was taken to a nearby hospital where she later died. According to police, three children were present in the home during the incident.

After his conviction, Self was taken into custody by the Iowa Department of Corrections, according to court documents.

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