In the summer of 2017, the life of 29-year-old Felicia Dormans was tragically cut short in her Mount Holly, New Jersey home. On August 6th, police responded to a call from a relative of Dormans' wife, Laura Bluestein, regarding a possible assault. Upon arrival, they discovered Dormans' body in a bedroom; she had been fatally shot in the face. Bluestein was taken into custody at the scene without incident.
The investigation that followed revealed a troubled relationship. Dormans' mother informed authorities that her daughter had been contemplating leaving Bluestein due to abuse. Just prior to the shooting, the couple had reportedly been arguing. In the aftermath of the shooting, Bluestein did not call for medical assistance. Instead, she went to a local Lowe's and purchased two shovels and blue tarps. Prosecutors stated that when police arrived at the residence, they found Bluestein in the process of digging a grave in the backyard.
Dormans' body was found lying on a tarp inside the home.
Laura Bluestein was initially charged with first-degree murder, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and tampering with evidence. During her trial, Bluestein admitted to shooting her wife but maintained that it was a tragic accident. She claimed that the gun, which she said belonged to Dormans, discharged accidentally as she was trying to load it. Her defense attorney argued that her actions following the shooting were those of a person in a state of panic.
In February 2020, a jury acquitted Bluestein of first-degree murder but found her guilty of the lesser charge of first-degree aggravated manslaughter, as well as tampering with evidence. In August of that same year, Laura Bluestein, then 31, was sentenced to 15 years in state prison for the death of her wife.
