Matthew J. Vanier, of Gardner, was sentenced to life behind bars — 20 to 25 years in prison — for first-degree murder and armed robbery in the killing of Randy S. Vaillancourt at Vaillancourt’s home in 2017, the Worcester County District Attorney said. Prosecutors said he beat the 56-year-old Gardner father to death.
“Our hope is that the family and loved ones of Mr. Vaillancourt can find some closure in this outcome,” Worcester County District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. said. “He praised the teamwork behind the case and thanked Gardner police and detectives for bringing prosecutors a case they could win.
Police found Vaillancourt’s body during a welfare check in 2017…