The Worst Family Massacre in Connecticut History (True Crime Documentary)

Summary

The case of Lauren, a man convicted of multiple murders, raises complex questions about justice and mental health. After his confession, doubts about his mental state, including possible schizophrenia or epilepsy, emerged, leading to debates on the reliability of his statements. Despite his conviction, he was sentenced to 5 years to life in prison, sparking controversy about the severity of his punishment. His health deteriorated in 2015, and he died from a brain bleed shortly after being placed on a ventilator. The case remains a tragic story of violence, legal struggles, and emotional devastation for the victims' families.

Takeaways

• 😀 Lauren was convicted of multiple murders in 1979 after confessing to the crimes, but doubts about his mental state, including possible schizophrenia or epilepsy, cast uncertainty on the reliability of his confession.
• 😀 Despite the serious charges, Lauren was not convicted of sexual assault, though speculation about this motive was raised during the trial.
• 😀 The jury found Lauren guilty of murder, and the judge sentenced him to 5 years to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 50 or 55 years.
• 😀 The judge's sentence was criticized for being much more lenient than the prosecution’s request for a 245-year prison term.
• 😀 Lauren's attorney filed an appeal immediately after sentencing, but it was rejected, and his legal battles for a retrial continued for years.
• 😀 Lauren filed several petitions for a habeas corpus trial, arguing that his conviction was wrongful, but all were denied.
• 😀 Lauren served 38 years in prison, accumulating multiple disciplinary offenses during his time, including assault and drug possession.
• 😀 In 2015, Lauren's health took a severe turn, and he passed away from a brain bleed, though no autopsy was performed to determine the exact cause of death.
• 😀 Lauren's cremated remains were kept by the funeral home owner, Robert DeClark, who periodically attempted to find any family members who might claim them, but none came forward.
• 😀 The case left a lasting emotional toll on the victims' families, especially Fred, who faced the painful realization that his own foster brother had committed the murders.
• 😀 The case raises the question of whether Lauren's sentence was just, considering the mental health factors and the severity of the crimes he committed.

Q & A

What was the main reason for questioning Lauren's conviction?

Lauren's conviction was questioned due to concerns about his mental state at the time of his confession, with suggestions that he might have been suffering from schizophrenia or epilepsy, making his statements potentially unreliable.

What was the potential motive for the murders according to Chief Assistant State's Attorney Walter Scanland?

Walter Scanland suggested that the motive for the murders might have been driven by shame, potentially stemming from Lauren's alleged molestation of one or more of the Bodan girls, though this was never definitively proven.

What sentence did Lauren receive after being found guilty of murder?

Lauren was sentenced to 5 years to life in prison, with the possibility of parole after 50 or 55 years, despite the state's efforts to secure the maximum sentence of 245 years.

What legal actions did Lauren take after his conviction?

After his conviction, Lauren filed multiple petitions, including for a habeas corpus trial, arguing that he was wrongfully convicted and that his confession should not have been used against him. However, each petition was rejected.

What does the term 'habeas corpus' refer to in the context of Lauren's case?

Habeas corpus refers to a legal writ used to bring an accused person from a different jurisdiction to court, allowing for the review of their case. In Lauren's case, he argued that his conviction was unjust and that his confession was improperly used.

What disciplinary offenses did Lauren accumulate during his time in prison?

During his time in prison, Lauren accumulated eight disciplinary offenses, including assault, possession of drugs and contraband, and other violations. His last infraction occurred in 1997.

How did Lauren's health change in 2015, and what happened afterward?

In June of 2015, Lauren's health took a drastic turn when he was placed on a ventilator in the Intensive Care Unit due to a severe medical crisis. He passed away shortly after from a severe brain bleed at the age of 65.

Why was Lauren's death considered mysterious?

Lauren's death remained mysterious because no autopsy was performed, and the cause of the brain bleed that led to his death was never determined.

Who took custody of Lauren's remains after his death?

After Lauren's death, Robert DeClark, the former owner of a funeral home, sought and received custody of his remains. He performed the cremation and kept the ashes in the hope of finding any relatives who might come forward.

What does the speaker suggest about Lauren's death and legacy?

The speaker suggests that Lauren's death was a tragic, isolated end, emphasizing that no one came forward to claim his remains. The speaker reflects on the cruelty of the crimes he committed and the pain experienced by the victims' families, particularly Fred, whose foster brother was responsible for the deaths.