FL v. Laurie Shaver: Buried in the Backyard Murder Trial (2024)

TAVARES, Fla. (Court TV) — A Florida woman was sentenced to life in prison for murdering her husband, who was found buried in her backyard.

In Sept., a jury deliberated for a little less than four hours in the trial of Laurie Shaver before convicting her of second-degree murder in the Nov. 2015 fatal shooting of Michael Shaver.

Prosecutors argued Laurie buried Michael’s remains in the backyard of their Clermont home and then impersonated him in texts and Facebook messages to create the impression he was still alive.

Michael’s body was found in March 2018, three feet below ground under a concrete slab and firepit that Laurie installed in the backyard two years prior.

Laurie was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and accessory after the fact in Sept. 2020. She was out on bond while awaiting trial.

During pretrial proceedings, Laurie’s defense claimed her daughter, who was eight years old at the time, pulled the trigger and killed her father during a violent episode to protect her mother.

The Shavers were living together but dating other people when Michael went missing. Laurie’s defense wanted to present evidence that Michael allegedly subjected Laurie to years of physical, sexual and emotional abuse. Laurie’s defense claimed in court documents that their two children witnessed much of the physical abuse, including an alleged incident on the day Michael was last seen alive that led their daughter to kill her father.

In their opening statement, Laurie’s defense presented another theory that pointed blame away from Laurie and her daughter. Defense attorney Jeffrey Wiggs suggested that during the argument that led to Michael’s death, Laurie’s lover took the gun from her daughter, shot Michael and buried his body.

DAILY TRIAL UPDATES

SENTENCING – 11/26/24

• Laurie Shaver was sentenced to life in prison for murdering her husband, Michael Shaver, who was found buried in her backyard.
  • WATCH: Buried in the Backyard Murder Trial: Laurie Shaver Sentenced

DAY 5 – 9/13/24

• Laurie Shaver was convicted of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Michael Shaver in Nov. 2015.
  • WATCH: Verdict Reached in Buried in the Backyard Murder Trial
• After being convicted, Laurie was remanded to the custody of Lake County Sheriff’s Office.
• Laurie’s tentative sentencing date is Nov. 25, pending completion of a pre-sentence investigation.
• Prosecutor Nicholas Camuccio presented the prosecution’s closing argument and rebuttal.
  • WATCH: Buried in the Backyard Murder Trial: Prosecution Closing Argument
  • WATCH: Buried in the Backyard Murder Trial: Prosecution Rebuttal
• Defense attorney Jeffrey Wiggs presented the defense’s closing argument.
  • WATCH: Buried in the Backyard Murder Trial: Defense Closing Argument

DAY 4 – 9/12/24

• The State rested late Thursday morning after calling Jereme Townsend and recalling a Lake County detective who reviewed a trove of Facebook, cell phone and bank records for both Laurie and Michael Shaver
  • WATCH: Laurie’s Ex-Lover Denies Murdering Michael Shaver
• The defense case began after lunch and was dominated by testimony from 15-year-old (soon to be 16) Isabelle Shaver, as well as the defendant herself
• Isabelle told the jury that her father threatened to kill her mother, prompting her to grab a gun and shoot him.
  • WATCH: ‘I Shot Him’: Isabelle Shaver Tells Jury She Turned Gun on Her Father
• Isabelle and Laurie Shaver both described a tense, abusive home environment, before providing a remarkable account of how Michael Shaver ostensibly died; most notably alleging that Isabelle shot her father in the back of the head to protect her mom from an alleged assault by Michael on the back patio of the home, with Jereme Townsend then purportedly shooting Michael once more and telling the others to leave so he could “take care of it”
  • WATCH: Laurie Shaver’s Emotional Testimony: ‘I Loved Michael’
  • WATCH: Laurie Shaver Denies Knowing Husband Was Buried in Yard
• WATCH: Buried in the Backyard Murder Trial: Day 4 Recap

DAY 3 – 9/11/24

• Robert Ceja, who works at the equestrian business on the property where Shaver’s residence was located, takes the stand.
  • WATCH: Neighbor Says Laurie Shaver Sold Him a Gun
• Laurie Shaver’s current husband, Travis Filmer, takes the stand.
  • WATCH: Shaver’s Current Husband: I Never Asked Wife About the Body in Yard
• Vanessa Townsend, whose husband had an affair with Laurie Shaver, tearfully recalled receiving a “gift” of flowers and a card purporting to be from Michael Shaver which prosecutors say was sent by the defendant, blowing the whistle on Laurie’s brief affair with Vanessa’s husband, Jereme.
  • WATCH: Witness Received Poem: ‘My Wife is a Whore, Your Husband is Too’
• Defense attorney Jeffrey Wiggs spent much of Wednesday afternoon cross-examining Lt. Tamara Dale, one of the primary investigators in the case, trying to poke holes and cast doubt on how thorough the criminal investigation was before a charging decision was made
• WATCH: Defendant Laurie Shaver Asked if She Plans To Take Stand
• WATCH: Buried in the Backyard Murder Trial: Day 3 Recap

DAY 2 – 9/10/24

• Robert Mercado, Jr., Michael Shaver’s friend and colleague, testifies to witnessing violence between Laurie and Michael.
  • WATCH: Friend Testifies to Altercation Between Michael and Laurie Shaver
• WATCH: Mother Accused of Burying Husband Under Fire Pit
• WATCH: Buried in the Backyard Murder Trial: Day 2 Recap

DAY 1 – 9/9/24

• The jury hears opening statements
  • WATCH: Buried in the Backyard Murder Trial: Opening Statements
• Frank Merritt, Michael Shaver’s former Walt Disney World colleague, takes the stand.
  • WATCH: Michael Shaver’s Former Colleague Takes the Stand