Podcast Summary: Murder With My Husband – Episode 262: The Murder of Michele Neurauter

Introduction

In episode 262 of Murder With My Husband, hosted by Peyton and Garrett Moreland from OH NO MEDIA, the listeners are presented with the harrowing true crime case of Michele Neurauter. This episode delves deep into the complexities of familial relationships, manipulation, and the dark turn of events that led to Michele's tragic death.

Background: The Neurauter Family Dynamics

Michele Neurauter and her husband, Lloyd Neurauter, were high school sweethearts who married in the early 1990s. Their union began with love and the promise of a shared future, leading to the birth of three daughters:

• Eldest Daughter: Graduated and moved out for college.
• Middle Daughter, Carrie: Attended the Rochester Institute of Technology in Syracuse, New York.
• Youngest Daughter, Charlotte: A 14-year-old living at home with Michele.

Lloyd worked as an engineer at Corning Glass, the town’s namesake company, while Michele initially worked as an English professor before becoming a stay-at-home mom. Despite appearing to be a supportive father—often seen engaging in his daughters' activities—the couple's relationship began to deteriorate over time.

In 2008, Lloyd accepted a job in New Jersey, choosing not to relocate the entire family. This decision created a rift, leading Lloyd to seek a divorce in 2013. The divorce was contentious, with Lloyd relentlessly pursuing sole custody of Charlotte, exacerbating financial strains due to his mounting debt from child support and alimony payments.

The Tragic Day: August 28, 2017

On August 28, 2017, the Neurauter household became the scene of a disturbing event:

• Initial Discovery: A neighbor noticed Charlotte was missing for a scheduled swim practice. Upon visiting, they saw Michele standing motionless at the front door and later found her dead on the staircase with a rope around her neck, seemingly indicating suicide. However, detectives observed a "little U-shaped mark on her chin" and scratch marks on her face ([00:09:04] Peyton Moreland).

• Charlotte's Disappearance: While Michele was found deceased, Charlotte was unaccounted for. Attempts to reach her via phone were unsuccessful, raising suspicions of foul play.

• Carrie's Involvement: Carrie's statements added complexity to the case. She claimed that during a weekend stay, a fight with Michele led her and Charlotte to leave for her apartment, distancing themselves from their mother amidst the ongoing custody battle.

Investigative Developments

As investigators delved deeper:

1. Autopsy Findings: Initially deemed a suicide, discrepancies in the autopsy reports—such as the throat damage inconsistent with self-strangulation—led to the cause of death being marked as undetermined ([00:12:48] Peyton Moreland).

2. Carrie's Inconsistencies: Phone records revealed Carrie's presence at Michele's house longer than she reported, undermining her credibility ([00:15:54] Peyton Moreland).

3. Lloyd's Alibi: Lloyd's claim of being in California for a job interview was debunked when security footage showed him with Carrie at the courthouse parking lot until 6:30 AM, contradicting his statement that his phone stayed at the hotel overnight ([00:24:11] Garrett Moreland).

4. Family Dynamics Unveiled: Interviews with friends and family painted Lloyd as a strict, controlling parent who manipulated Carrie against Michele. Incidents of Lloyd's abusive behavior, such as slapping his daughters and enforcing total control over family relationships, were brought to light ([00:18:45] Garrett Moreland).

The Conspiracy Unfolds

Under mounting pressure, Carrie confessed her involvement:

• Manipulation and Planning: Carrie revealed that she and Lloyd conspired to murder Michele, staging it as a suicide. Her role was to distract Charlotte, ensuring she remained unaware during the act ([00:28:39] Garrett Moreland).

• Lloyd's Arrest: Facing undeniable evidence, including DNA traces on Michele's pajamas, Lloyd accepted a plea deal for life imprisonment without the possibility of parole ([00:32:20] Peyton Moreland).

• Carrie's Release: After serving less than two years, Carrie was released from prison in January 2020. Her early release was contingent upon her cooperation and testimony against Lloyd ([00:31:05] Peyton Moreland).

Conclusion and Reflections

The episode concludes with reflections on the devastating impact of parental manipulation and the catastrophic consequences of involving children in adult conflicts. Michele's mother, Jean, remains steadfast in her belief of Lloyd's culpability, emphasizing the importance of recognizing and addressing toxic family dynamics to prevent such tragedies.

Notable Quotes

• Peyton Moreland ([00:03:30]): "What would you do if your parent asked you to help them with the unthinkable?"

• Garrett Moreland ([00:10:14]): "Your mind, the detectives and the police... they’re going to wonder, was she home during this? Is this some sort of homicide, kidnapping?"

• Peyton Moreland ([00:18:45]): "Lloyd was a really strict disciplinarian with the girls. Kept them on a short leash. He just seemed controlling at times."

• Garrett Moreland ([00:28:40]): "I was actually reading something the other day... making the other person cut ties with their family... it's one of the number one signs of a narcissist."

• Peyton Moreland ([00:33:17]): "Gene tells them, not only do you need to be looking into this as a murder, you need to look into Lloyd, her husband that she's currently divorcing."

Final Thoughts

This episode of Murder With My Husband meticulously unpacks the intricate and disturbing layers of a family torn apart by custody battles and manipulation, culminating in a cold-blooded murder. It serves as a poignant reminder of the dire consequences that can arise from toxic relationships and highlights the resilience needed to overcome such dark chapters.