Darren Hall got life for killing Sarah Henshaw, 31, after letting himself into her home while she was out.
The pair rowed when she came back to her property in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, on June 20. The cause of death was not established.
But he was found guilty of murder after Derby Crown Court heard that bruising on Ms Henshaw’s neck was “about the width of a dressing gown cord”.
Hall, 36, drove her body 20 miles before leaving it near Chesterfield. Her body was not found until June 26.
Her mother Lorraine Henshaw said Hall was a “monster” who disposed of Sarah’s body like a “piece of rubbish”.
She said: “All Sarah ever wanted was stability and to settle down with a partner who loved her. He is a monster who committed the most evil crime.”
The killer used his victim’s phone after her death to text friends to suggest she was still alive before discarding it.
He also disposed of her belongings, including her dressing gown and slippers, at a recycling centre and a skip, to pretend she had gone missing.
Sentencing him yesterday Mr Justice Goss said: “Sarah was a loud, outgoing and fun-loving person with an infectious laugh.
“The harm you have done and the suffering you have caused can never be undone by any sentence of this court.
“I can’t accept you have genuine remorse for killing her, as you still protest you did nothing to hurt her. You clearly ignored her screams and used sufficient force to cause her death.”
Hall, of Ilkeston, claimed his ex died after falling down the stairs but he admitted moving her body and disposing of her possessions after he had “just panicked”.
The carpet fitter, appearing via video from HMP Nottingham, trembled throughout his sentencing.
Ms Henshaw’s relatives, who packed the public gallery throughout the trial, described her as “bubbly and mischievous” in statements read to the court.
The victim’s sister Kelsie Henshaw described Hall as a “cruel, selfish man”.
She added: “Sarah was really caring and would do anything to help anyone. We have nightmares about Darren Hall and how he murdered our lovely sister and the evil way he dumped her body.
“Our hearts are broken forever. We will always carry Sarah in our lives.”
