Lisa Hoppe Zuraff, a 38-year-old Caucasian woman from Polk City, FL, tragically died on June 22, 2016. Lisa was born on April 13, 1979, in Jamestown, ND, and was known for her friendly and outgoing nature. She had a deep love for her children and enjoyed spending time with her family and friends. Lisa's life was marked by her passion for outdoor activities, such as fishing, hunting, and camping, as well as her love for cooking and celebrating holidays like Christmas.
On the day of her
death, Lisa and her husband, Loren Zuraff, got into an argument near their pool. According to trial testimony, Loren left the disagreement to mow the yard but returned with a gun. He shot Lisa three times in the back, then laid her body on the pool steps and called 911. When law enforcement arrived, they found a black handgun submerged in the water near the pool steps where Lisa was found. Her cell phone was discovered in the middle of the pool, and two bullets were found five feet past her phone, along with three shell casings in the pool.
Loren Zuraff, 51 at the time, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. During the trial, Loren testified that Lisa had a gun in her hand and was threatening to commit suicide. He claimed that he tried to wrestle the gun away from her, and it accidentally fired. However, the medical examiner's testimony showed that the entrance wounds from the gunshots were in Lisa's back, directly refuting Loren's story. The jury found Loren guilty of first-degree murder with a firearm after two hours of deliberation, and he was immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
The case highlighted the tragic consequences of domestic violence and the importance of seeking help in such situations. Lisa's death left a profound impact on her family and friends, who remembered her as a caring mother and a beloved member of the community.
