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LaNell Barsock was a 29-year-old nurse who was killed in June 2010. Her death was an instance that left the whole community reeling, with Dateline: Secrets Uncovered having focused an episode on this.
She had initially been found to be killed by her boyfriend; however, a darker scenario would later be revealed with the unearthing of more shocking revelations from people who were closest to her.
The case was thought to be pretty simple. However, it turned out to be much more complex, a story of obsession, betrayal, and deception that ended in the conviction of LaNell's former romantic partner. Read on to know more about the tragic murder and what happened afterward.
Discovery and Initial Investigation
LaNell Barsock was found dead in her home in Palmdale on June 16, 2010. Her body was discovered by La'Rene Austin, a friend and a former lover who has recently been estranged from LaNell.
Austin immediately called the police. The initial probe led suspicions to fall on Bonheur, the boyfriend of the victim, who had the spiky motive and the overall appearance of the murder, suggesting he was the perpetrator. However, the police had doubts about the whole investigation, which did not correspond with the story that Austin kept telling them the longer they interrogated her.
Within days, police found video from surveillance cameras and traced forensic evidence directly to the victim's exonerated boyfriend. So the police shifted focus to Austin, whose actions in the wake of the death had raised questions.
There was something strange about the way Austin acted. As the investigators probed more, they found out she was obsessed with LaNell to the point that the definition of the crime was becoming clear.
Unveiling the Motive
LaNell recently broke up with La'Rene Austin and decided to focus on Bonheur. Thus, a deep emotional divide resulted between the two ladies. Austin could not let go of the romantic affair, and so she made her obsession with LaNell stronger over time.
Austin even went so far as to impersonate LaNell online and use her identity to reach out to men on dating sites. She even tried to take over LaNell's personal and social life, hoping to fill the void they had once shared.
Austin's illness culminated in physical fighting. In the days leading to LaNell's death, her behavior became increasingly irrational. LaNell was intent on reconciling with Austin but saw that LaNell had moved on, causing a violent emotional turn for Austin. In the end, her jealousy had a violent outburst, with Austin killing LaNell in anger.
The actual murder is bloody and gory and features LaNell's body found at home with a plastic bag over her head. It's cunning, and it wasn't long before the story started to come together for LaNell.
The Trial and Conviction
La'Rene Austin was tried in August 2015 for the murder of LaNell Barsock. The prosecution presented a compelling case against the alleged murderer, demonstrating her familiarity with LaNell and her willful direction.
Therefore, the prosecution team argued about the repeated attempts by Austin to personate LaNell and the ultimate culmination of her emotional instability in the violent crime. She was found guilty of first-degree murder, and the use of a firearm's presence just made her conviction more evident.
In November 2017, the California Court of Appeal upheld the verdict, concretizing the awful crime's judicial consequences.
Trending
Disturbing as it is, you are compelled to think about the violent murder of LaNell Barsock and its tragic and murderous end. The case underscores the combined warning signals of obsession with what people need to do to fit in—or, more directly, in order to detach themselves from toxic relationships.
LaNell's story is a cautionary tale about possessed love or emotional manipulation and the violent turns it can take.
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