Paul Steven Jandreau, a 51-year-old retired Navy master chief, was found dead on June 29, 2010, in Moyock, North Carolina. Paul, who was employed at BAE Systems in Norfolk, Virginia, was reported missing by his friends after he failed to show up for work on June 30, 2010. His friends, concerned about his unusual absence, contacted the Currituck County Sheriff’s Department.
Deputy Sheriff Lisa Starcher performed a welfare check at Paul’s residence at 100 Armstead Court but found nothing suspicious initially. However, after several days of no news, authorities suspected foul play and obtained a search warrant.
On July 3, 2010, officers conducted a thorough search of Paul’s residence and discovered his body inside a large tote in the garage. Paul had been wrapped in plastic and duct tape and was found under a pile of garbage. He had been shot five times with a .45 caliber handgun, with wounds in the abdomen, chest, thigh, neck, and hand. Additionally, Paul had about 12 lacerations on his head, consistent with being struck by a blunt object such as a pistol. His cell phone was missing from the residence, and officers found an assortment of cleaning supplies, indicating that the primary bedroom’s hardwood floor had been scrubbed.
Paul’s wife, Lateisha Jandreau, a 38-year-old bodybuilder, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Lateisha, who had won the National American Sports Federation’s North Carolina bodybuilding championship in June 2010, was found cowering in a bedroom closet when officers discovered Paul’s body. She was held at the county jail without bail. Lateisha’s brother, Eugene Askew, 39, was identified as a person of interest in the case, and authorities were searching for him.
Paul’s brother, Mike Jandreau, revealed that Paul had been experiencing marital problems and had been talking about divorce. Paul had told Mike that he had evidence of Lateisha’s infidelity and wanted her out of the house. Despite the marital issues, Paul had not expressed fear of his wife. Friends of Paul, who described him as a punctual and stand-up guy, played a significant role in solving the case by reporting his absence and providing crucial information to the authorities.
The investigation into Paul’s death revealed that Lateisha and her brother had been seen loading furniture into Paul’s pickup truck, which was found in the driveway. Friends also noticed that the windows in the home were covered with wrapping paper and that one of the bathrooms reeked of bleach. These observations, along with the discovery of Paul’s body, led to Lateisha’s arrest and the ongoing search for her brother, Eugene Askew.
