Loved to Death: The Case of Lacey Ellen Fletcher

GRAPHIC CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains graphic content around child abuse and neglect. Listener discretion advised.

The date is January 3, 2022. It had been almost 15 years since anyone had seen 36-year-old Lacey Ellen Fletcher outside of her house in her Slaughter, LA. Around 2am on the morning of January 3, Lacey’s mother Sheila Fletcher made a call to 911 stating that Lacey had stopped breathing. Paramedics and East Feliciana Parish Coroner Dr. Ewell Bickham were immediately called to 2568 Tom Drive. The coroner, law enforcement officials, and first responders who arrived on scene were met with the most horrific sight they’d seen in their careers. What law enforcement officials would soon uncover would be the beginning of the most bewildering and horrific story anyone could have imagined. What monstrous, unbelievable secrets were hidden behind the walls at the Fletcher house at the end of a sleepy cul-de-sac? Is this a case where 'loving someone to death' is possible? Or is this blatant disregard of human life? Either way, stick around for this heartbreaking roller coaster of a case while Chelsea and Bailey explore concepts from enablement, neglect, mental health issues and a family living wildly different private and public lives. 

Resources:

In an emergency, call the 24-hour Child Abuse Hotline at 800-25-ABUSE (800-252-2873). If you believe a child is in immediate danger of harm, call 911 first.

 Locked-in syndrome - Resources and Support - Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center (nih.gov)

PARALYSIS RESOURCE CENTER Fact Sheet – LOCKED-IN SYNDROME (christopherreeve.org)

Autism Resource Center (aacap.org)

Resource Guide | Autism Speaks

 

Thanks for listening! If you want to support us, you can follow/subscribe to “WILDCIDE” on your favorite podcast listening app. While you’re there, please rate and leave us a review – we would really appreciate it! You can also visit our website at www.wildcidepodcast.com (merch coming soon!) 

Make sure to get updates by following us on Instagram (@wildcidepodcast) and Facebook (Wildcide Podcast). Don’t forget Wildcide Wednesdays- new episodes drop every Wednesday at 6am EST.  Interviews will drop every other Friday at 6am EST.

 

​​Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. Editing/Production for the podcast by Bltzwolff (bltzwolff@gmail.com).

​WILDCIDE Podcast and any content posted is presented solely for general informational, educational, and entertainment purposes. The use of information on this podcast or materials linked from this podcast or website is at the user’s own risk. It is not intended as a substitute for the advice of a physician, professional coach, psychotherapist, or other qualified professional, diagnosis, or treatment. Users should not disregard or delay in obtaining medical advice for any medical or mental health condition they may have and should seek the assistance of their healthcare professionals for any such conditions.  

 

References:

Bashinsky, R., & Alexander, H. (2022, May 26). “I can’t conceive how something like that could happen”: Colleague of louisiana dad facing murder charges after daughter, 36, was found fused to the couch by her own waste says he’s shocked by horrific details of the case. Daily Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10769793/Co-worker-Louisiana-dad-accused-murdering-daughter-locked-syndrome-shocked.html

Hutchison, J. (2024, February 9). Coroner in case of Lacey Fletcher, who was found dead, fused to a couch, says she was “literally tortured and rotted in her own body” - and is convinced her parents were not living in the house: “nobody could stand the stench.” Daily Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13066981/coroner-lacey-fletcher-dead-couch.html

Jimenez, G. (2024, February 7). Parents of louisiana woman who died on maggot-ridden couch pleaded no contest to manslaughter. The Advocate. https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/communities/east_feliciana/lacey-fletchers-parents-plead-guilty-to-manslaughter/article_654ea708-c168-11ee-bbb5-138a84079773.html

Kalmbacher, C. (2023, June 26). Parents re-indicted on murder for sick daughter who melted into family’s couch while starving. Law & Crime. https://lawandcrime.com/crime/parents-indicted-on-murder-charges-for-the-2nd-time-in-case-where-paralyzed-daughter-melted-into-familys-couch-while-starving-and-covered-in-feces-sores-and-maggots/

Krail, J. (2022, May 6). Mom charged in daughter’s murder was placed on leave after Nakamoto exposed disturbing details of neglect. WBRZ. https://www.wbrz.com/news/mom-charged-in-daughter-s-murder-was-placed-on-leave-after-nakamoto-exposed-disturbing-details-of-neglect/

Medlicott, Jenny. (2024, February 7). Parents of woman found “melted” to maggot-infested sofa “loved daughter to death” as they face manslaughter charges. LBC. https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/woman-melted-into-sofa-usa-neglect-parents-manslaughter/

Rosato, C. (2024, March 20). Parents of Lacey Fletcher sentenced for daughter’s death. https://www.wafb.com. https://www.wafb.com/2024/03/20/parents-lacey-fletcher-sentenced-daughters-death/

Saunders, A. (2024, March 21). Parents of Lacey Fletcher, woman who “melted” into maggot-infested couch, sentenced to 40 years. Peoplemag. https://people.com/lacey-fletcher-parents-sentenced-8612500

Steinbuch, Y. (2024, February 7). Parents of Lacey Fletcher, woman found “melted” to couch, plead no contest to manslaughter. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2024/02/06/news/parents-of-lacey-fletcher-woman-found-melted-to-couch-plead-no-contest-to-manslaughter/

Woodfield, G. (2022, May 5). Exclusive: Neighbors of homeschooled autistic Louisiana woman who died smothered in her own waste say she was last seen in public 15 years ago exercising outside her house and reveal she was a “fun normal kid” into volleyball and Disney Movies. Daily Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-10783477/Lacey-Fletcher-seen-public-15-years-death-neighbors-reveal.html