A Florida woman has been convicted for the murder of her husband, whose body was found buried under a concrete slab in their backyard. Laurie Leigh Shaver, 41, was found guilty of second-degree murder with a firearm in the death of her husband, Michael Shaver, 36, according to the Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney’s Office.
The family of the deceased expressed relief at the verdict. Stacy Turner, Michael Shaver’s sister, expressed her joy at the outcome, stating that justice had been a long time coming. The case had been a drawn-out process, with the Assistant State Attorney, Nicholas Camuccio, expressing his regret at the length of time it took to reach a verdict. However, he was pleased that the evidence presented led to a decision that brought closure to the family.
Michael Shaver’s death occurred between Nov. 7 and Nov. 10, 2015, a period marked by his absence from work. The case only came to light in February 2018 when a friend of Michael’s reported to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office that he and his family had not seen or heard from Michael since 2015. The friend requested a welfare check at Michael’s home in Clermont, a town located more than 25 miles west of Orlando.
Upon arrival at the Shaver residence, Laurie Shaver informed the deputies that she had not seen her husband since 2015. She initially allowed the deputies to search the house but later ceased cooperation and requested legal representation. On March 9, 2018, the partially clothed skeletal remains of Michael Shaver were discovered under a firepit in the backyard. The body, wrapped in a blue tarp, had suffered a gunshot wound to the back of the head.
Following her husband’s death, Laurie Shaver assumed his identity on Facebook, informing his employer that he was quitting his job and moving to Georgia. She also told others to leave him alone. One former co-worker testified that Michael had stopped communicating and wanted to be left alone. Michael’s brother, Brian Shaver, also testified that there had been no contact with Michael, even when their mother fell ill and was hospitalized.
Laurie Shaver was also found to have gradually disposed of her husband’s personal belongings, selling his tools and firearms. She later married a man who had assisted in pouring the concrete slab where her husband’s body was found. In a surprising turn of events, Laurie Shaver testified that she had been attacked by her husband after he discovered she was pregnant. Her teenage daughter, who was seven at the time of the murder, also testified, claiming she shot her father as he was attacking her mother. Laurie Shaver is scheduled for sentencing on Nov. 25.