GONZALES - A man confessed he killed a woman 25 years ago inside an Ascension Parish courthouse this afternoon. 

Kenneth Lavigne, who is now 50 years old, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and second degree kidnapping charges for the death of his uncle's ex-wife, Jeannie Lavigne, who was 38 years old at the time.

The woman's body was found in a wooded area of St. Amant, December 16, 1990.

For nearly two decades, the case went cold until investigators linked Lavigne to the crime in 2013.

In an emotional confession, Lavigne faced the victim's famil, and asked for their forgiveness.

"It was a surprise to hear an apology," said Ryan Lavigne, the victim's son.

In tears, Lavigne also mentioned his close ties to Jeannie's family.

"My sister, the victim, kept us, baby sat us, we played together as children, so it was very shocking to find out that he was the one responsible for her death," said Dwayne Sevier, the victim's brother.

Lavigne can face up to 21 years for each charge. A judge will soon determine whether those sentences will be served consecutively or concurrently.