The Murder of Laurie Gonyo (Vermont) - Dark Downeast

Dark Downeast Podcast Summary

Episode: The Murder of Laurie Gonyo (Vermont)

Host: Kylie Lowe
Date: April 16, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Dark Downeast examines the haunting case of Laurie Gonyo, a 29-year-old woman who vanished from her Vermont home in 1976. Host Kylie Lowe delves into the decades-spanning investigation, discussing initial missteps, the eventual discovery of Laurie’s body, and the complex, unsettling prosecution of neighbor Wayne Earl Delisle Sr. The story is a stark exploration of how justice can feel incomplete—even when someone is convicted—and shines a necessary light on the chilling shadows some cases never escape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Disappearance (01:01–05:50)

Last Morning: Ricky Gonyo, Laurie’s husband, last saw her at 5:30 am, November 4, 1976, bringing her a cup of coffee before work. Nothing was amiss.
Discovery: Upon returning home, Ricky noticed the door ajar, Laurie's essentials untouched (jacket, money, cigarettes, boots), and a disturbed scene in the living room (overturned TV tray, spilled tea).
Immediate Fears: Ricky was convinced Laurie hadn’t left voluntarily, especially given the state of her things and uncharacteristic neglect of her beloved horses.

Memorable Quote:

“To him, it looked like she had been taken. As the hours stretched into night and there was still no sign of Laurie, Ricky couldn’t sit still. He grabbed a rifle and stepped outside onto the road. Back and forth he walked, stopping every car that passed, asking each driver the same question. Had they seen Laurie?” — Kylie Lowe (04:55)

2. Initial Investigation & Stagnation (05:50–11:20)

Police Response: Despite obvious concerns, police found no evidence of foul play and treated this as a missing persons case.
Community Theories: Rumors of Laurie’s past city life and possible “wrong crowd” circulated, as did a friend’s disturbing vision of her being carried out unconscious.
Early Suspect: Neighbor Wayne Delisle Sr., with a sizable criminal history, was questioned but alibied (mostly) by his mother. He moved away abruptly three weeks after the disappearance.

3. Body Recovered & Case Reignites (12:27–17:50)

Discovery: Laurie’s decomposed body was found in the Lamoille River (08/06/1977), bound with rope and weighted by cement blocks; cause of death: strangulation.
Evidence Links: The blocks matched the type used in Wayne’s former house foundation, and a tarp similar to one he owned was found.
Stalemate: Despite the physical evidence and Wayne’s suspicious behavior, there was insufficient direct proof for charges. The case grew cold for more than a decade.

4. A Break in the Case (17:51–22:32)

Key Testimony: In 1989, Wayne’s son Bud, after years of trust-building with investigators, described his father’s explosive altercation with Laurie, an alleged affair, and details matching the disposal of her body.
Arrest: Based on Bud’s allegations and corroborating physical evidence, Wayne Delisle Sr. was arrested in Florida (03/08/1990).
Compromised Witness: Bud’s credibility was aggressively challenged—he had his own criminal charges, a fraught relationship with his father, and even attempted to contact Wayne’s defense for money.

5. Trials, Pleas & Legal Complications (22:32–31:10)

Plea Attempt: The state, facing a “weak” case dependent on Bud’s testimony, negotiated a deal for Wayne to plead no contest to manslaughter (with parole possible after only two years)—a sentence Laurie’s family and the judge ultimately rejected.
Lost Evidence & Delays: Critical evidence (a bone showing strangulation) was lost, but the judge allowed trial to proceed.
Trial Outcome: Wayne was convicted of second-degree—not first-degree—murder (lack of proof for premeditation); sentenced to 20–50 years (parole eligible after 12).

Notable Moment:

“The jury had rejected first degree murder. What the evidence didn’t clearly establish was premeditation.” — Kylie Lowe (28:31)

6. Appeals, Release, and Aftermath (31:10–36:40)

Sentence Overturned: The Vermont Supreme Court reversed the conviction over jury instruction errors regarding lesser charges; Wayne pleaded no contest again, received a suspended sentence, and was released after serving only about 7.5 years (due to credit for time served).
Community Outrage: Wayne was forced to move repeatedly because communities protested his presence. Law enforcement openly warned he was potentially dangerous, especially to women.

7. Other Crimes, Patterns, and the Unsolved (36:40–42:30)

Serial Suspicions: After moving to Florida, Wayne was a key suspect in at least seven sexual assaults and multiple murders, including those of Connie Sedham, Denise Dansby, and a Jane Doe—crimes sharing disturbing similarities with Laurie’s.
No Convictions: Despite circumstantial links, no convictions resulted; survivors were marginalized, evidence was scarce, or cases collapsed due to unreliable witnesses.
Chilling Profile: Wayne fit the pattern of a serial predator: targeting vulnerable women, using strangulation, disposal of victims’ bodies in water, and keeping souvenirs like hair clippings.
Wayne Delisle Sr. died in 2023, taking possible secrets to his grave.

Memorable Quote:

“I don’t think you end up accused of seven sexual assaults and have your name on suspect lists for multiple homicides because of a misunderstanding. Either he had the worst luck ever, or he’s a predator that was able to operate unchecked.” — Kylie Lowe (41:10)

Significant Timestamps & Segments

Laurie’s Last Morning / Discovery — 01:01–05:50
Initial Suspicions & Neighbors — 05:50–09:45
Body Found, Autopsy Details — 12:27–14:05
The Son’s Testimony — 17:51–19:30
Arrest, Evidence in the Safe — 19:31–22:00
Trial and Plea Dynamics — 22:32–28:31
Appeal and Release — 28:31–36:40
Other Cases Linked to Wayne — 36:40–41:20
Profile and Legacy — 41:20–42:30

Notable Quotes

Kylie Lowe on the lasting pain:

“This is a story about what happens when justice feels incomplete, when a sentence seems too small for the violence at the center of it, and when the killer in one case leaves a trail of suspicion wherever he goes.” (01:19)
Bud Delisle about his father:

“He can’t stand me and I can’t stand him. We have a long time, bad relationship. He was never no kind of father or husband. He was a violent person. He would give us all a good trouncing in a minute.” (17:50)
On judicial warning post-release:

“Law enforcement warnings read… ‘subjects should be considered dangerous and closely monitored while in the presence of women.’” (34:10)

Episode Takeaways

Justice Incomplete: The prosecution and trial highlighted the power and peril of relying on a single, compromised witness—and how even a conviction can leave family and community unsatisfied.
Danger Lurking: Wayne Delisle Sr.’s release, the linked but officially unresolved assaults and murders, and chilling behavior patterns illustrate the limits of the justice system—especially in cases where victims are marginalized and evidence is circumstantial.
Legacy: Laurie Gonyo’s story, and those of suspected victims like Connie Sedham and Denise Dansby, underline the urgent need to remember the vulnerable and press for open, ongoing investigations.

Final Call to Action

If you have information about the murders of Denise Dansby or Connie Sedham, contact the Volusia County Cold Case Unit at coldcaseunittipssaluciasherif.gov or Crime Stoppers at 888-277-TIPS.

This summary preserves the deeply empathetic and investigative tone of Kylie Lowe, emphasizing the human cost and systemic gaps exposed in Laurie Gonyo’s case.

Dark Downeast Podcast Summary

Episode: The Murder of Laurie Gonyo (Vermont)

Host: Kylie Lowe
Date: April 16, 2026

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Disappearance (01:01–05:50)

Last Morning: Ricky Gonyo, Laurie’s husband, last saw her at 5:30 am, November 4, 1976, bringing her a cup of coffee before work. Nothing was amiss.
Discovery: Upon returning home, Ricky noticed the door ajar, Laurie's essentials untouched (jacket, money, cigarettes, boots), and a disturbed scene in the living room (overturned TV tray, spilled tea).
Immediate Fears: Ricky was convinced Laurie hadn’t left voluntarily, especially given the state of her things and uncharacteristic neglect of her beloved horses.

Memorable Quote:

“To him, it looked like she had been taken. As the hours stretched into night and there was still no sign of Laurie, Ricky couldn’t sit still. He grabbed a rifle and stepped outside onto the road. Back and forth he walked, stopping every car that passed, asking each driver the same question. Had they seen Laurie?” — Kylie Lowe (04:55)

2. Initial Investigation & Stagnation (05:50–11:20)

Police Response: Despite obvious concerns, police found no evidence of foul play and treated this as a missing persons case.
Community Theories: Rumors of Laurie’s past city life and possible “wrong crowd” circulated, as did a friend’s disturbing vision of her being carried out unconscious.
Early Suspect: Neighbor Wayne Delisle Sr., with a sizable criminal history, was questioned but alibied (mostly) by his mother. He moved away abruptly three weeks after the disappearance.

3. Body Recovered & Case Reignites (12:27–17:50)

Discovery: Laurie’s decomposed body was found in the Lamoille River (08/06/1977), bound with rope and weighted by cement blocks; cause of death: strangulation.
Evidence Links: The blocks matched the type used in Wayne’s former house foundation, and a tarp similar to one he owned was found.
Stalemate: Despite the physical evidence and Wayne’s suspicious behavior, there was insufficient direct proof for charges. The case grew cold for more than a decade.

4. A Break in the Case (17:51–22:32)

Key Testimony: In 1989, Wayne’s son Bud, after years of trust-building with investigators, described his father’s explosive altercation with Laurie, an alleged affair, and details matching the disposal of her body.
Arrest: Based on Bud’s allegations and corroborating physical evidence, Wayne Delisle Sr. was arrested in Florida (03/08/1990).
Compromised Witness: Bud’s credibility was aggressively challenged—he had his own criminal charges, a fraught relationship with his father, and even attempted to contact Wayne’s defense for money.

5. Trials, Pleas & Legal Complications (22:32–31:10)

Plea Attempt: The state, facing a “weak” case dependent on Bud’s testimony, negotiated a deal for Wayne to plead no contest to manslaughter (with parole possible after only two years)—a sentence Laurie’s family and the judge ultimately rejected.
Lost Evidence & Delays: Critical evidence (a bone showing strangulation) was lost, but the judge allowed trial to proceed.
Trial Outcome: Wayne was convicted of second-degree—not first-degree—murder (lack of proof for premeditation); sentenced to 20–50 years (parole eligible after 12).

Notable Moment:

“The jury had rejected first degree murder. What the evidence didn’t clearly establish was premeditation.” — Kylie Lowe (28:31)

6. Appeals, Release, and Aftermath (31:10–36:40)

Sentence Overturned: The Vermont Supreme Court reversed the conviction over jury instruction errors regarding lesser charges; Wayne pleaded no contest again, received a suspended sentence, and was released after serving only about 7.5 years (due to credit for time served).
Community Outrage: Wayne was forced to move repeatedly because communities protested his presence. Law enforcement openly warned he was potentially dangerous, especially to women.

7. Other Crimes, Patterns, and the Unsolved (36:40–42:30)

Serial Suspicions: After moving to Florida, Wayne was a key suspect in at least seven sexual assaults and multiple murders, including those of Connie Sedham, Denise Dansby, and a Jane Doe—crimes sharing disturbing similarities with Laurie’s.
No Convictions: Despite circumstantial links, no convictions resulted; survivors were marginalized, evidence was scarce, or cases collapsed due to unreliable witnesses.
Chilling Profile: Wayne fit the pattern of a serial predator: targeting vulnerable women, using strangulation, disposal of victims’ bodies in water, and keeping souvenirs like hair clippings.
Wayne Delisle Sr. died in 2023, taking possible secrets to his grave.

Memorable Quote:

“I don’t think you end up accused of seven sexual assaults and have your name on suspect lists for multiple homicides because of a misunderstanding. Either he had the worst luck ever, or he’s a predator that was able to operate unchecked.” — Kylie Lowe (41:10)

Significant Timestamps & Segments

Laurie’s Last Morning / Discovery — 01:01–05:50
Initial Suspicions & Neighbors — 05:50–09:45
Body Found, Autopsy Details — 12:27–14:05
The Son’s Testimony — 17:51–19:30
Arrest, Evidence in the Safe — 19:31–22:00
Trial and Plea Dynamics — 22:32–28:31
Appeal and Release — 28:31–36:40
Other Cases Linked to Wayne — 36:40–41:20
Profile and Legacy — 41:20–42:30

Notable Quotes

Kylie Lowe on the lasting pain:

“This is a story about what happens when justice feels incomplete, when a sentence seems too small for the violence at the center of it, and when the killer in one case leaves a trail of suspicion wherever he goes.” (01:19)
Bud Delisle about his father:

“He can’t stand me and I can’t stand him. We have a long time, bad relationship. He was never no kind of father or husband. He was a violent person. He would give us all a good trouncing in a minute.” (17:50)
On judicial warning post-release:

“Law enforcement warnings read… ‘subjects should be considered dangerous and closely monitored while in the presence of women.’” (34:10)

Episode Takeaways

Justice Incomplete: The prosecution and trial highlighted the power and peril of relying on a single, compromised witness—and how even a conviction can leave family and community unsatisfied.
Danger Lurking: Wayne Delisle Sr.’s release, the linked but officially unresolved assaults and murders, and chilling behavior patterns illustrate the limits of the justice system—especially in cases where victims are marginalized and evidence is circumstantial.
Legacy: Laurie Gonyo’s story, and those of suspected victims like Connie Sedham and Denise Dansby, underline the urgent need to remember the vulnerable and press for open, ongoing investigations.

Final Call to Action

If you have information about the murders of Denise Dansby or Connie Sedham, contact the Volusia County Cold Case Unit at coldcaseunittipssaluciasherif.gov or Crime Stoppers at 888-277-TIPS.

This summary preserves the deeply empathetic and investigative tone of Kylie Lowe, emphasizing the human cost and systemic gaps exposed in Laurie Gonyo’s case.