Homicide victim’s roommate talks about loss - FOX 25/48 - WLAX/WEUX La Crosse & Eau Claire News

Sara Hougom's roommate is speaking out for the first time as one of the suspects in Hougom's murder pleads guilty.

21-year-old Pao Choua Vue of La Crosse entered the plea to first degree reckless homicide as party to a crime the morning of August 15th.

The 3-other charges against him were dismissed.

He's accused of driving the getaway car after police say 20-year-old Kong Vue of La Crosse shot and killed Hougom in March.

"I thought I would never have to deal with anything like this. It still doesn't get better every day, it gets worse. I miss her and I love her so much, and she was my best friend in the world," said Sara Hougom's old roommate Holly Germain.

Vue's guilty plea means the case will not go to trial.

"There are pros and cons (since he's not going to trial). On behalf of the family they are happy there was this kind of resolution up to this date. They do want justice to be served," said family spokesperson Reverend Ellen Rasmussen.

"It's hard not to look at them and think about all the horrible things they've done, and how a human could do that to someone so beautiful," said Hougom's friend, Paige Roth-Smith.

At his plea hearing Vue told the court that he had been on meth when he drove to Hougom's apartment with Kong Vue.

"All I remember was stopping the vehicle and I didn't hear anything go on. The windows were rolled up. All I remember was seeing him running back to the car and telling me to drive off as fast as I can," said Pao Choua Vue.

Pao Choua Vue is scheduled for sentencing in October. Kong Vue is expected to go before the judge later this month. Pao Choua Vue could face up to 60 years in prison if found guilty.