(Yuba-Sutter, CA) – The Yuba County D.A. reports that the man convicted in the murder of Vanessa Hayes has been denied parole.

Steven Shaun Knoefler pled no contest to the May 1st, 2008 beating death of his girlfriend, Vanessa Hayes. He used a barbell in that attack, which occurred in front of one of her teenage children. He then forced him to help bury her in the backyard. Three years later when the teen became an adult, he went to authorities and confessed to his role in the murder and led authorities to the burial site.

Knofler was sentenced to 16 to life, eligible for his first parole hearing after 12 years. The parole board denied him Tuesday noting he’s “not shown positive changes during his incarceration and is in denial about what he did.”

He’s eligible for parole again in 2028.