Woman Found Guilty of Killing Husband and Hiding Body

A jury has decided Laurie Shaver is guilty of killing her husband, Michael. She hid his body under a fire pit in their yard. She also used his social media after he died. She will learn her punishment in November.
By Newsroom | Crime, Florida |

A jury has determined Laurie Leigh Shaver is guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm in the death of her husband, Michael Douglas Shaver. The conviction follows a trial where evidence pointed to the concealment of Michael's remains beneath a fire pit in their backyard. Shaver also allegedly impersonated her husband on social media after his disappearance, a tactic authorities believe was used to evade detection. Her sentencing is scheduled for November.

Background of the Case

Michael Douglas Shaver, aged 36, went missing in 2015. His disappearance initially led Laurie Leigh Shaver, 41, to claim he had abandoned the family. However, as the investigation progressed, concerns about the circumstances surrounding his absence grew. Lake County deputies responding to the Shaver residence noted Laurie's evasiveness when asked about a property search. Evidence later emerged suggesting Michael's body was buried on their property, under a concrete fire pit.

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  • Timeline of Events:

  • 2015: Michael Douglas Shaver goes missing.

  • During Investigation: Laurie Shaver allegedly claims Michael left the family.

  • Trial Period: Evidence surfaces regarding the burial site on the property.

  • September 13, 2024: Laurie Shaver is found guilty of second-degree murder.

  • November 27, 2024: Laurie Shaver is sentenced to life in prison.

Evidence Presented

The prosecution's case hinged on several key pieces of evidence and testimonies:

Woman guilty of killing partner she cut up and buried - 1

  • Burial Site: Michael Shaver's remains were discovered buried beneath a concrete slab in the backyard of the couple's home. This location was identified as a fire pit.

  • Social Media Impersonation: Court records indicate Laurie Shaver used Facebook Messenger to pose as her husband, Michael, after his death. This action was intended to mislead family and friends into believing he was still alive.

  • Daughter's Testimony: During the trial, Laurie's daughter, Isabelle, testified that she, not her mother, shot Michael. She claimed this action was in defense of Laurie, stating Michael had attacked her mother and threatened them. However, the jury ultimately convicted Laurie of murder.

  • Defense Arguments: Laurie's legal team argued that the presence of Michael's body on their property did not definitively prove she was responsible for his death.

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"The next thing I see is — I can’t even say it — I see her, I more or less heard it, then I think I seen her… Isabelle… She fired a gunshot." - Laurie Shaver, during trial testimony

"I think it was very speculative actually linked up to Laurie Shaver." - Jeffrey Wiggs, Laurie Shaver’s defense attorney

Conflicting Accounts of the Killing

During the proceedings, divergent narratives emerged regarding the events leading to Michael Shaver's death.

Prosecution's Position

The jury's verdict suggests a belief in the prosecution's assertion that Laurie Shaver was responsible for her husband's death. The act of burying the body and impersonating him on social media are seen as actions intended to conceal a crime she committed.

Defense's Counter-Narrative

Laurie Shaver and her defense team presented a different version of events. Laurie testified that her daughter, Isabelle, shot Michael. Furthermore, she indicated attempts to leave Michael, including traveling to New York with Isabelle to prepare for divorce proceedings.

Sentencing and Aftermath

Following the guilty verdict on September 13, 2024, Laurie Leigh Shaver was subsequently sentenced to life in prison on November 27, 2024. This marks the conclusion of the legal proceedings against her for the murder of her husband.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What happened to Michael Shaver?
Michael Shaver went missing in 2015. His wife, Laurie Shaver, was found guilty of his murder.
Q: Where was Michael Shaver's body found?
His body was found buried under a fire pit in the backyard of his home.
Q: What else did Laurie Shaver do?
She used her husband's social media accounts to pretend he was still alive after he died.
Q: What is Laurie Shaver's sentence?
She was sentenced to life in prison.
Q: Did anyone else testify about the killing?
Laurie Shaver testified that her daughter shot Michael, but the jury found Laurie guilty.