In the quiet community of Apache Junction, Arizona, the life of 47-year-old Laurel 'Laurie' Armstrong, a white female, came to a tragic and unexpected end. On Tuesday, February 19, 2014, authorities discovered the bodies of Laurie and her 51-year-old husband, Brett 'Kelly' Armstrong, inside their home. The grim finding marked the culmination of what investigators believe to be a murder-suicide.
Details surrounding the incident suggest a troubled period leading up to the fatal event.
Pinal County Superior Court records show that Laurie Armstrong had filed a petition for divorce the previous November, signaling a significant rift in a marriage that had lasted for more than two decades. This legal step provides a somber backdrop to the violence that would later unfold within the walls of their shared residence.
Investigators have indicated that they believe Brett Armstrong was responsible for his wife's death before taking his own life. While the specific cause of death was not immediately released, the investigation pointed towards a violent end to their lives. As the primary suspect in Laurel's death, Brett Armstrong's own demise concluded the investigation, leaving a community to mourn the loss of a dedicated local figure. Laurel was known in the community as the executive director for the Apache Junction branch of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the East Valley, a role that underscored her commitment to the well-being of local youth.
