WAUKESHA COUNTY, Wis. (CBS 58) -- John Bayerl was sentenced to life in prison on Friday for the 1979 murder of his wife.

Dona Mae Bayerl disappeared in 1979 and her body was never found.

In February, her husband, 79-year-old John Bayerl, was arrested in Florida and charged for the murder.

In 1979, John Bayerl stated that Dona Mae stormed out of their home after an argument, and had not been seen since. Family and friends of Dona Mae Bayerl were adamant that she would never leave her daughters, and they feared something happened to her.

John Bayerl waited three days to report the disappearance to police.

On top of serving life in prison, Bayerl was ordered to have no contact with either of his daughters. 

Stay with CBS 58 News for more information on this developing story.