Crime Junkie – MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF: Laura Sweetman

Host: Ashley Flowers, with Britt
Release Date: April 13, 2026

Overview of the Episode

In this episode, Ashley Flowers and Britt dive into the baffling and underreported death of Dr. Laura Sweetman, a pediatric neurologist found dead in 2013. While the case was never publicly investigated as foul play and remains shrouded in mystery, Ashley and Britt piece together Laura's life and last days, the suspicious circumstances of her death, questionable police and forensic work, and the strong suspicions people around Laura continue to hold—most notably regarding her estranged husband, Dave Sweetman. The episode also spotlights systemic problems in forensic standards and police practices, calling for renewed attention to Laura’s case.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Background and Relationship Turmoil

• Laura & Dave’s History:
  • Met as teenagers in California, married in adulthood; Laura becomes a respected neurologist, Dave runs small businesses ([03:30]).
  • Outside appearance of a “perfect” family, but close friends knew of turmoil and emotional abuse in the marriage.
• Financial and Emotional Strain:
  • Laura faced manipulation and belittlement from Dave; began confiding in her friend "Emily" ([04:50]).
  • Friends sensed "creepy vibes" from Dave; Laura seemed inexperienced in healthy relationships.

2. Divorce and Domestic Violence Incident

• Discovery of Dave's Secret Life:
  • Laura learns Dave had a secret, years-long affair and another child ([07:00]).
  • Decides to leave Dave, arranging for a secret move to a rental house.
• April 2013 Domestic Violence Call:
  • Domestic incident between Laura and Dave escalates. Laura claims he threatened to kill her and held her against her will—Laura secretly records the incident ([10:37]).
  • Police response is lackluster: Dave is arrested but not charged due to "insufficient evidence," despite Laura’s audio recording ([16:53]).

“According to Dave, what they heard wasn’t a struggle… the only time he put his hands on Laura was to, quote, hug her and hold her close while she yelled ‘help me.’”
— Ashley Flowers ([15:07])

• Aftermath:
  • Laura is granted an order of protection and full custody; the divorce process is initiated.

3. Suspicious Activity and Safety Concerns

• Financial Manipulation:
  • Laura’s coworkers and friends reveal Dave hid business dealings, causing Laura stress and financial hardship despite her medical career ([19:02]).
• Stalking Fears and Neighbour Tip:
  • Laura reportedly believed Dave or someone he hired was following her.
  • Neighbor “Harry” notes a suspicious car near Laura’s home; gives the license plate to police, but there's no evidence police followed up ([22:50]).

“Harry’s crime folder might come in handy because when he went to his computer… let me just go check my crime folder to see if I have notes from that time.”
— Ashley Flowers ([24:04])

4. Events Leading Up to Laura’s Death

• Uncharacteristic Behavior:
  • Laura asks a friend to fill a prescription in the friend’s name; behavior out of character and potentially illegal ([27:09]).
• Timeline the Night Before Death:
  • Kids were with Dave; Laura invites a man she was seeing, Will, to her home ([38:16]).
  • Laura was in contact with several men that weekend—“Will” is last known to see her alive ([38:20]).

5. Discovery of Laura’s Body

• Scene Details:
  • Found by her nanny, Stacy; Laura’s dogs present, dog gate on the floor, and the usually locked back door was unlocked ([30:04], [31:18]).
  • Laura is discovered in the bathtub, naked, foaming at the mouth, but not submerged—already in rigor ([30:24]).

6. Troubling Gaps in the Investigation

• Police Interviews and Alibis:
  • Dave is not deeply questioned nor asked for an explicit alibi; phone data places his phone at home that night, but no further probing ([34:44]).
  • Will supplies his phone and DNA, admits deleting texts with Laura. No verification if police confirmed his timeline ([38:20], [40:18]).
  • None of the other men Laura was seeing are interviewed by police ([41:36]).

“Literally recording what happened isn’t even enough for, like, the ‘she’ part of ‘he said, she said’—not enough for charges.”
— Britt ([17:26])

7. Autopsy and Forensic Concerns

• Findings:

  • No internal injuries, but surface bruises and questionable contusions on Laura’s head.
  • Foaming at the mouth (common in drowning), yet “no definitive evidence” for drowning or other cause ([44:01], [45:41]).
  • Toxicology report clean—no drugs, no prescription stimulants or anti-anxiety medication found, but there is a prescription bottle at the scene ([51:02]).
  • Autopsy records lack certain tests, e.g., genetic screening, detailed heart examination; standards of reporting vary widely ([52:12], [53:04]).

• Quality of the ME Office:

  • The medical examiner (Dr. Shelley) has a checkered past (allowed his kids to handle a brain from an autopsy, was reprimanded by the Virginia Medical Board) ([61:33]).
  • Toxicologist who signed the toxicology report (Norman Wade) had previously been convicted of grand theft for selling evidence from a police property room ([66:59]).

8. Systemic Failures and Lingering Questions

• Police Inaction:
  • Police closed the file months after the autopsy returned an “undetermined” ruling for cause and manner of death ([69:42]).
  • Friends and family feel ignored by investigators and unsatisfied with answers: “People have been left to do is point fingers at Dave” ([71:14]).
  • None of Laura’s other romantic interests were investigated, and simple witness interviews (with neighbors, friends) were perfunctory ([72:29]).

“If Dave didn’t do anything, he should be pissed off too, because perhaps a better investigation could have answered all of the open ended questions…”
— Ashley Flowers ([71:14])

• Call for Action:
  • Public and media pressure has helped move other Gilbert, AZ cases in the past.
  • Ashley calls on listeners to revive interest and demand a new, high-standard investigation.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [14:18] Ashley: “If any copy of this [domestic incident] recording exists anymore, we weren’t able to find it. According to the incident report, Dave can be heard on it threatening to shoot himself several times, but he did not say that he was going to harm Laura, at least audibly.”

• [33:37] Ashley: “According to the police file, when Dave greets the detective outside of his house, he’s already crying even though they haven’t told him what happened exactly.”

• [36:06] Ashley: “Laura’s dad, her stepmom, one of her co-workers, and Emily all told police that they thought Dave had something to do with Laura’s death.”

• [46:05] Ashley: “For foaming at the mouth… Dr. Shelley wrote, ‘there was no definitive evidence of drowning.’”

• [57:42] Ashley: “Whenever [an undetermined ruling] does happen, the case has to be reviewed by at least one other pathologist.”
  — Ashley and Britt then confirm there’s no documented evidence in the file such a review happened.

• [61:34] Ashley: “A doctor takes a dead marine’s brain home with him and then allows his kids to hold it and take pictures with it.” (On Dr. Shelley, the ME who signed Laura’s autopsy)

• [66:59] Ashley: “While there, [Norman Wade] took a gun and another item of evidence out of the evidence room and sold them at a pawn shop… got convicted of grand theft of a firearm in 1995, served 30 days in jail…”

Important Timestamps

• 00:34 – Recap of Dave Sweetman’s involvement in the prior murder of Nick Cordova; early suspicions about Dave’s behavior regarding life insurance and civil suits.
• 07:00 – Laura discovers Dave’s affair and decides to leave him.
• 10:37 – The domestic violence incident occurs; Laura calls police.
• 16:53 – Dave’s domestic violence charges dropped despite a recorded audio incident.
• 22:50 – Neighbor reports suspicious car at Laura’s rental house; no police follow-up.
• 27:09 – Laura asks a friend to fill a prescription in the friend’s name.
• 30:24 – Stacy discovers Laura’s body.
• 34:44 – No recorded alibi probing of Dave Sweetman; Dave’s children possibly an alibi.
• 38:16-41:36 – Details on Laura’s relationships with multiple men in the weeks before her death; police barely follow up.
• 44:01 – Deep dive into autopsy findings.
• 61:33 – Dr. Shelley’s misconduct as a medical examiner revealed.
• 66:59 – Toxicologist’s criminal background detailed.
• 69:42 – Explanation of how the case was closed.
• 73:07 – Media pressure called out as effective in moving cases in Gilbert, AZ.

Episode Tone

• Relentlessly questioning, deeply skeptical of law enforcement and forensic standards.
• Empathetic and respectful to Laura; points persistent failures in the system.
• Frustration and disbelief come through, especially when discussing gaps and incompetency in the investigation and forensic analysis.

Conclusion

Ashley and Britt’s investigation into Laura Sweetman’s mysterious death paints a picture of systemic failure—apparent police apathy, shoddy forensic oversight, and a history of violence that was neither adequately investigated nor publicly discussed. They urge listeners to use the power of community and public pressure to force authorities to re-examine Laura’s case and provide overdue answers to those still seeking justice.

Calls to Action

• Share Laura’s story. Spread awareness via social media & local media outlets.
• Contact Crime Junkie with information or tips: tips@audiochuck.com
• Review Laura’s memorial Facebook for more about her life and community impact.

For listeners seeking more details, all source material is available at crimejunkie.com.