Judy Church was aware that her long-time boyfriend Leroy Fowler was involved with another woman, but she remained in the relationship hoping that he would choose her eventually. Their relationship spanned about a decade, starting when Leroy, having just ended his marriage, became a tenant in Church’s Salisbury, Massachusetts home. Church, a former teacher, was the primary provider in the relationship and often showered Leroy with gifts, including a motorcycle.
Meanwhile, for eight years, Leroy maintained a tumultuous relationship with Barbara Randall, whom he had reconnected with on Facebook. Church disapproved of this relationship and even reached out to Barbara at one point, expressing her discontent and labeling Leroy as self-centered and deceitful.
On Leroy’s 55th birthday in November 2022, Church made a distress call to 911, reporting that Leroy was gravely ill, claiming that he had ingested something and was experiencing severe symptoms, including a nosebleed. Upon arrival, paramedics found Leroy in a state of confusion and pain, admitting to taking Percocet the previous night but none that day. Subsequent medical evaluation revealed that Leroy had ingested antifreeze, resulting in organ failure and ultimately leading to his death after life support was withdrawn.
Suspicions arose when Leroy’s family implicated Church in his demise, citing his involvement with Barbara as a motive for Church’s alleged actions. An autopsy confirmed the presence of antifreeze in Leroy’s system. Despite Church’s initial denial and attempts to divert attention, incriminating evidence, including a tainted Powerade bottle with antifreeze and her DNA, was discovered by the police during a search of her residence.
Further investigation unveiled disturbing videos of Church callously recording Leroy’s agony before seeking medical assistance, as well as a staged photo of him in his hospital bed surrounded by birthday gifts. Church was subsequently arrested and charged with Leroy’s murder. During the trial, prosecutors portrayed the love triangle among Church, Leroy, and Barbara as toxic and dysfunctional, alleging that Church had used antifreeze as a lethal weapon.
The court learned that Leroy had unwittingly consumed the antifreeze mixed with Powerade, masked by its sweet taste. Testimonies revealed Church’s callous behavior towards Leroy’s suffering, with evidence of her making threats and engaging in disturbing rituals with a voodoo doll. Despite the defense’s attempt to paint a different picture of their relationship, Church was convicted of first-degree murder with premeditation and extreme cruelty, receiving a life sentence without parole.
In response to the verdict, Barbara expressed her sorrow over Leroy’s tragic end, emphasizing that no one deserves such a cruel fate. Leroy’s sister reflected on the pain of losing a loved one at the hands of another, emphasizing the profound anguish such a loss brings.
