Gregory Joseph "Greg" Fleniken, a 55-year-old Caucasian male from Lafayette, Louisiana, was found dead on September 16, 2010, in Room 348 of the MCM Elegante Hotel in Beaumont, Texas. Greg was a successful businessman and the Vice President of OGM Land Company, known for his dedication to his work and his love for his wife, Susie Aycock Fleniken. He had a routine of commuting weekly to Beaumont for work and staying at the hotel during the week.
On the evening of September 15, 2010, Greg was relaxing in his hotel room, enjoying a Reese’s Crispy Crunchy bar and watching the movie "Iron Man 2" while sipping on root beer. The next morning, when he didn't call his wife as usual, Susie grew concerned and contacted his colleagues, who went to check on him. The hotel manager unlocked the door to find Greg's lifeless body on the floor, clutching a spent cigarette between his fingers.
The medical examiner, Dr. Tommy Brown, conducted a postmortem investigation and found that Greg had suffered severe internal injuries, including a hole in his heart, broken ribs, and lacerations to his liver and scrotum. These injuries were consistent with blunt force trauma, leading Dr. Brown to rule Greg's death a homicide. The circumstances of the case were perplexing, as Greg was found in a locked hotel room, and there was no apparent crime scene.
The investigation revealed that three electricians from Wisconsin, Lance Mueller, Timothy R. Steinmetz, and Trent Pasano, were staying in the neighboring room, Room 349, and had been partying the night before Greg's death. Lance Mueller had accidentally fired a round from his pistol into the wall of Room 348, but instead of checking on Greg, the men continued drinking and did not inform hotel staff about the gunshot. Mueller even attempted to cover the hole with toothpaste and toilet paper.
Susie Fleniken, desperate for answers, hired private investigator Ken Brennan and worked closely with Beaumont Police Detective Scott Apple to piece together what happened. Mueller eventually admitted to firing the shot, and he was charged with manslaughter. In October 2012, Mueller was sentenced to 10 years in prison for his role in Greg's death.
The case attracted national media attention and was featured on Investigation Discovery's "Does Murder Sleep? No Checking Out," highlighting the unusual and tragic circumstances surrounding Greg's death. Susie Fleniken continued to pursue legal action against Mueller, the hotel, and the security company, hoping to bring the case to trial and seek justice for her husband.
Gregory Joseph "Greg" Fleniken's death remains a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions. His legacy lives on through the love and memories shared by his family and friends.
