A Duluth man has been sentenced to a term of nearly 37 years for fatally stabbing his wife after she asked for a divorce, a punishment 11 years longer than the presumed length under state guidelines.

Ryan Jazd­zewski, 40, attacked Nicole "Nikki" Jazdzewski, 41, at the couple's home in the 800 block of Chester Park Drive on June 2. Police came after their 7-year-old daughter called authorities for help.

"We hope Nikki's death will bring awareness for others living and coping with domestic abuse in their lives," read a statement from Nicole Jazdzewski's parents, Kenneth and Deborah Hovland. "How it can be hidden from sight, due to the manipulative nature of the people who are abusers, and how deadly it can turn when the abuser thinks they have lost control of the victim."

With credit for time in jail since his arrest, Ryan Jazd­zewski will serve the first 24 years in prison and the balance on supervised release.

The sentence was part of plea agreement "made after careful consideration of input provided by the victim's family, law enforcement and potential trial outcomes," the St. Louis County Attorney's Office said in a statement.

Terms of the plea deal, the prosecution statement continued, represents "a substantial upward departure" from sentencing guidelines based on aggravating factors including the presence of the couple's three young children in the home at the time of the killing. The children are now ages 8, 6 and 4.

Ryan Jazdzewski

"Today is best left to remembering the loss of Nikki and the immeasurable loss suffered by the people who loved her as they deserve our upmost respect for finding the courage to move forward from this unimaginable and inexcusable crime," said Assistant County Attorney Kristen Swanson.

Officers who were summoned to the home by the oldest child arrived to find Ryan Jazdzewski with bloodied clothing and Nicole Jazdzewski inside with multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Ryan Jazdzewski allegedly told police he had a "horrible fight" with his wife after she said she wanted a divorce and "lost it," according to the criminal complaint.

"Our family is committed to helping the children heal," the Hovlands' statement continued. "As they mature and become independent individuals, our family will be right there to help. Our main focus now is to support the children and provide some semblance of normalcy for them."

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482