Laurie Shaver, the Lake County woman accused of killing her husband, burying his body in their backyard, then posing for him as years, was found guilty of second-degree murder on Friday.The woman’s trial started on Monday, Sept. 9. Although the trial was originally slated to run for two weeks, the state rested its case on Thursday, and closing statements were underway by Friday.After a four-hour deliberation, the jury found Shaver guilty of:Murder in the second degree with a firearm.Not guilty of:Accessory after the fact to a life felony.Shaver’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 25 at 9 a.m.“It does sadden me that it took this long to get justice for them, but I’m just happy we were able to take the evidence and they came back with the right decision to give this family closure,” Prosecutor Nick Camuccio said.>> Click here for recaps from every day of Laurie’s trialIn March 2018, Lake County investigators were searching a property near Clermont that, at one point, Michael Shaver shared with his wife, Laurie.Investigators say they found Michael Shaver’s remains under a concrete slab at the property one month after a friend told deputies he had not heard from the man since 2015.Officials believe Laurie Shaver assumed Michael’s identity over text and Facebook messages after he was dead, adding that none of the woman’s accounts made sense.In 2023, Laurie Shaver’s defense attorney said the woman did not kill her husband, but instead, two other people were involved, including a child, who was willing to testify in her defense. On Thursday, the 15-year-old girl did just that. Not being identified because of her age, the young girl testified that her mother is her best friend and that her relationship with her father was poor due to his physical abuse towards her mother.”And I grabbed her, and I grabbed her gun. And I went back out, and I went to the door. The door was already open. And he had my mom on the ground still. Still laying on the ground. Still kicking her. And I shot him,” the daughter said.The state challenged the daughter’s story, noting that they had met with her on several occasions and had never heard this version before.The daughter also claimed that a family friend shot Michael Shaver after she did, but that man testified he never met Michael Shaver.Physical evidence indicates that Michael Shaver was shot exactly one time.Michael Shaver’s family expressed relief after hearing the verdict.”Elation, elation we were very happy this was a long time coming,” said Stacy Turner, Michael Shaver’s sister.Before leaving, Michael Shaver’s family read a prepared statement thanking all the law enforcement involved in the case.”He did not deserve what happened to him,” Turner said. “His friends and family and now the public know what a great man he was, he will forever live in our hearts.”Laurie Shaver’s family was too distraught to speak with WESH 2 News, but her defense attorney said they will appeal the verdict.Related: Woman posed as dead husband in texts after burying him under concrete slab, deputies sayRelated: Central Florida woman accused of killing husband claims a child pulled the triggerRelated: Laurie Shaver trial: Daily updates on Lake County woman accused of posing as dead husband after alleged murder
Laurie Shaver, the Lake County woman accused of killing her husband, burying his body in their backyard, then posing for him as years, was found guilty of second-degree murder on Friday.
The woman’s trial started on Monday, Sept. 9. Although the trial was originally slated to run for two weeks, the state rested its case on Thursday, and closing statements were underway by Friday.
After a four-hour deliberation, the jury found Shaver guilty of:
- Murder in the second degree with a firearm.
Not guilty of:
- Accessory after the fact to a life felony.
Shaver’s sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 25 at 9 a.m.
“It does sadden me that it took this long to get justice for them, but I’m just happy we were able to take the evidence and they came back with the right decision to give this family closure,” Prosecutor Nick Camuccio said.
>> Click here for recaps from every day of Laurie’s trial
In March 2018, Lake County investigators were searching a property near Clermont that, at one point, Michael Shaver shared with his wife, Laurie.
Investigators say they found Michael Shaver’s remains under a concrete slab at the property one month after a friend told deputies he had not heard from the man since 2015.
Officials believe Laurie Shaver assumed Michael’s identity over text and Facebook messages after he was dead, adding that none of the woman’s accounts made sense.
In 2023, Laurie Shaver’s defense attorney said the woman did not kill her husband, but instead, two other people were involved, including a child, who was willing to testify in her defense.
On Thursday, the 15-year-old girl did just that. Not being identified because of her age, the young girl testified that her mother is her best friend and that her relationship with her father was poor due to his physical abuse towards her mother.
“And I grabbed her, and I grabbed her gun. And I went back out, and I went to the door. The door was already open. And he had my mom on the ground still. Still laying on the ground. Still kicking her. And I shot him,” the daughter said.
The state challenged the daughter’s story, noting that they had met with her on several occasions and had never heard this version before.
The daughter also claimed that a family friend shot Michael Shaver after she did, but that man testified he never met Michael Shaver.
Physical evidence indicates that Michael Shaver was shot exactly one time.
Michael Shaver’s family expressed relief after hearing the verdict.
“Elation, elation we were very happy this was a long time coming,” said Stacy Turner, Michael Shaver’s sister.
Before leaving, Michael Shaver’s family read a prepared statement thanking all the law enforcement involved in the case.
“He did not deserve what happened to him,” Turner said. “His friends and family and now the public know what a great man he was, he will forever live in our hearts.”
Laurie Shaver’s family was too distraught to speak with WESH 2 News, but her defense attorney said they will appeal the verdict.
Related: Woman posed as dead husband in texts after burying him under concrete slab, deputies say
Related: Central Florida woman accused of killing husband claims a child pulled the trigger
Related: Laurie Shaver trial: Daily updates on Lake County woman accused of posing as dead husband after alleged murder
