Michael Shaver, a 36-year-old resident of Okahumpka, Florida, was last seen alive on November 7, 2015. His sudden disappearance raised concerns among his friends and family, who found it unusual that he would leave without any communication. Initially, his wife, Laurie Shaver, told friends and co-workers that Michael had quit his job and left his family. However, these claims were met with skepticism, as those close to Michael did not believe he would abandon his children. Over the years, Laurie provided various conflicting stories about Michael's whereabouts, including claims that he had moved to different states or was in jail for nonpayment of child support.
The case took a significant turn in 2018 when authorities discovered Michael Shaver's remains buried under a concrete slab and fire pit on Laurie Shaver's property in Clermont, Florida. The discovery led to a deeper investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. Laurie Shaver was arrested in 2020 and charged with second-degree murder and accessory after the fact to second-degree murder. The arrest affidavit revealed that Laurie had been sending text messages and Facebook messages from Michael's phone to create the illusion that he was still alive. These messages were traced back to her home IP address, further implicating her in the crime.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Michael and Laurie Shaver had a tumultuous relationship, with reports of separation and both parties dating other people. Witnesses described their relationship as strained, and the last person to see Michael alive, besides his wife, was a co-worker at a tractor show on November 7, 2015. The co-worker noted that Michael and Laurie did not appear to be getting along at the event. Investigators believe that Michael was killed sometime between November 7 and November 10, 2015, and that the fire pit near where his body was found was constructed around March 2016.
The trial for Laurie Shaver included testimony from various witnesses, including her new husband, Travis Filmer, who discussed his knowledge of Laurie and Michael's relationship. Other witnesses included co-workers, friends, and family members of Michael Shaver, who provided insights into the couple's troubled relationship and the suspicious circumstances surrounding Michael's disappearance. Despite the defense's claims that a minor child had confessed to the murder, Laurie Shaver was ultimately convicted of second-degree murder for killing her husband and attempting to cover it up. The case highlighted the tragic consequences of a toxic relationship and the lengths to which Laurie went to conceal her actions.
