( CNN ) -- The boyfriend convicted of strangling and drowning a famed swimsuit designer in a bathtub at a chic New York hotel was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison , the maximum sentence for second-degree murder , the Manhattan District Attorney 's office said Monday . A jury convicted 27-year-old Nicholas Brooks , son of `` You Light Up My Life '' composer Joseph Brooks , in New York Supreme Court in July for the murder of his girlfriend , Sylvie Cachay . `` We have come a long way in our recognition and understanding of domestic violence , but there is much more we have to do to better protect individuals like Ms. Cachay , '' District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. said in a statement Monday . Cachay 's bruised body was found submerged in water in an overflowing bathtub at the Soho House New York club and hotel on December 9 , 2010 , police said . A guest staying on a lower floor reported to hotel management that water was leaking through the ceiling , according to court documents . A hotel employee investigating the source of the leak entered Cachay 's room and discovered her body , the documents say . Brooks ' attorney , Jeffrey Hoffman , said Monday he and his client plan to appeal . `` We expect to have a successful appeal and be back in court as a result of that , '' Hoffman told CNN . Authorities said they relied on interviews with hotel employees and surveillance videos from the location to charge Brooks . Cachay 's body had bruising on the neck and bite marks when she was discovered , police said . An autopsy indicated the designer suffered injuries consistent with neck compression , court records show . Cachay had internal hemorrhaging , injuries to her scalp and cuts to her lips and mouth , the documents say . `` Sylvie Cachay was one of those rare individuals who truly sparkled when she spoke , '' publicist Kate Godici said about Cachay in July when Brooks was convicted . `` She will be deeply and painfully missed , yet celebrated , honored and never forgotten . '' After heading the swimwear team at Victoria 's Secret , Cachay debuted her own luxury line of swimwear in 2006 to rave reviews . The collection became a celebrity favorite . Brooks ' father , Joseph Brooks , 73 , committed suicide in May 2011 , New York police said . The Oscar-winning songwriter was facing 11 rape and sexual assault charges , New York Police Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne told CNN . Nicholas Brooks will be up for parole in 25 years .
In July , a jury convicted Nicholas Brooks for the second - degree murder of Sylvie Smith . Brooks has been sentenced to 25 years to life in prison . Cachay 's bruised body was found in an abandoned hotel bathtub in 2010 . Brooks will be eligible for parole in 25 years .