Man sentenced to life in prison for luring a gay man to his death on gay app

A 23-year-old man has been sentenced to life in prison for luring a gay man to his death.

Kelly Schneider, who posed as an escort to murder 49-year-old Steven Nelson, will serve at least 28 years behind bars.

In April 2016, Steven was badly beaten, stripped naked and robbed near Lake Lowell in Nampa.

He then walked naked and without any footwear over a mile to the nearest house in a bid to get help, but sadly later died of his horrific injuries.

Following his death, it was discovered that Steven was lured to the spot where he was beaten after he responded to an online ad promising a sexual encounter with an escort.

Apologising for his crimes during his sentencing, Schneider told the court: “I understand that no matter what I do, I can never make right what I did wrong. … I’m not asking anybody for forgiveness, because I don’t deserve it.”

Speaking about his son’s horrific death, his father said in a statement: “You want to talk about impact on our lives? I don’t know where to start. After 49 years, his prints are in our lives and in our hearts everywhere.

“In my imagination, I walk that mile over and over with Steven.”

“Steven wasn’t our gay brother. He was just our brother,” added his sister.

Schneider is one of four people who were charged with various crimes related to Steven’s tragic death.

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