Murder With My Husband - Episode 276: The Sugar Baby Murder
Release Date: July 7, 2025
Hosted by OH NO MEDIA
Introduction
In episode 276 of Murder With My Husband, Peyton and Garrett Moreland delve into a heartbreaking true crime story that intertwines love, deception, and tragedy. Titled "The Sugar Baby Murder," this episode explores the life and untimely death of Dr. Thomas Bouchard, a devoted child psychiatrist whose generosity ultimately led to his demise at the hands of a young woman he sought to help.
Background of Dr. Thomas Bouchard
[03:33]
Dr. Thomas Bouchard, a 71-year-old esteemed child psychiatrist, resided in Salinas, California, with his fiancée, Judy Earp. With a distinguished career spanning over four decades, Thomas had worked at renowned institutions like Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Massachusetts General, and UCLA before dedicating the last 40 years to the Monterey Peninsula community hospital. His commitment to his patients was unwavering, often extending beyond professional duties by performing magic tricks to brighten their days and financially assisting those in need.
Notable Insight:
"Thomas had been a staple at the community hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. In fact, Thomas had been there for so long, he was now seeing the kids of the kids that he had once treated."
— Peyton Moreland [03:33]
The Relationship with Judy Earp
Thomas met Judy Earp in the early 2000s when Judy, a divorced realtor with four children, was on a trip to Las Vegas. Their bond was immediate, founded on shared experiences of recent divorces and embarking on new life chapters. Judy moved to Salinas in 2004, solidifying their relationship. However, beneath Thomas’s generous exterior lay a troubling pattern of financial assistance to women in need, particularly young, vulnerable women seeking a "sugar daddy."
Key Point:
"Thomas was attracted to both her and the fact that she was down on her luck. This was his sort of thing."
— Peyton Moreland [19:30]
The Entanglement with Kelsey Turner
Around 2018, Judy began noticing unusual financial activities, leading to the discovery of Thomas’s financial entanglements with Kelsey Turner, a 25-year-old model known as "Bad Barbie" on Instagram. Kelsey portrayed a glamorous life online, but in reality, she struggled financially as a single mother of two, divorced twice, and lacking steady income. Thomas had been supporting her extensively, providing her with money, cars, and a home, amounting to at least $750,000 by 2019.
Significant Revelation:
"By 2019, Judy says Thomas had given Kelsey at least $750,000 for various things."
— Peyton Moreland [22:52]
The Fallout and Decision to Cut Ties
Judy confronted Thomas about his financial drain, proposing that he distance himself from Kelsey to protect their relationship and finances. Despite agreeing to reduce his support, Thomas continued financially aiding Kelsey by renting her a new house in Las Vegas and buying her a new Mercedes-Benz. This ongoing financial support fueled tension between Judy and Kelsey, leading to harassment and threats from Kelsey towards Judy.
Confrontation Highlight:
"Kelsey does not like Judy, who is trying to stop her paychecks from coming in."
— Peyton Moreland [24:16]
The Disappearance and Discovery
In March 2019, Thomas flew to Las Vegas unannounced to confront Kelsey in person. Shortly after, he failed to return, raising alarms for Judy and prompting a police investigation. On March 7, Thomas was found brutally murdered in the trunk of Kelsey's abandoned Mercedes-Benz near Lake Mead. Evidence included a bloody baseball bat, signs of a struggle, and indications of attempted car fires to destroy evidence.
Grave Moment:
"Kelsey tells Diana she was going to get him to a hospital. Now at this point, Thomas starts pleading with Kelsey, saying he won't report her, he'll tell the doctors he was mugged, he won't mention her name at all."
— Peyton Moreland [36:51]
Investigation and Unraveling the Truth
Police connected the vehicle to Kelsey Turner, uncovering her background as a struggling mother using Thomas’s generosity to sustain a facade of success. Upon searching Kelsey's residence, authorities found matching bloodstains and Thomas’s journal, which revealed Kelsey’s extortion attempts. Kelsey had threatened to accuse Thomas of possessing child sexual abuse material to manipulate him into continuing her financial support.
Disturbing Insight:
"Thomas had to live with the shame over having been suckered into this sugar daddy relationship with a 25-year-old woman while he had a fiancée."
— Peyton Moreland [28:28]
The Climactic Confrontation
During the fatal confrontation, Kelsey and her associates, including her boyfriend John Logan Kennison and roommate Diana Pena, engaged in a violent altercation. As Robert attempted to sever ties, Kelsey, backed by John, turned deadly. Diana intervened, trying to protect Thomas, but the situation escalated beyond control. Thomas was forced into Kelsey's Mercedes under duress and later found murdered.
Emotional Climax:
"So as I mentioned, Kelsey and all of her roommates fled the house the second news broke that Thomas's body was discovered and they all turned off their phones, too, which kind of implicates all of the roommates in the house, not just Kelsey."
— Peyton Moreland [30:05]
Arrests and Legal Proceedings
Following the murder, Kelsey and her accomplices were apprehended. Diana Pena, the roommate, turned herself in and accepted a plea deal for being an accessory to murder, receiving three years of probation. John Logan Kennison pled guilty to murder and was sentenced to 18-45 years in prison. Kelsey Turner, initially pleading not guilty, ultimately accepted an Alford plea to second-degree murder, resulting in a sentence of 10-25 years with eligibility for parole in March 2029.
Legal Outcome:
"She accepted an Alford plea to second degree murder and was given 10 to 25 years in prison."
— Garrett Moreland [40:00]
Reflections and Conclusion
The Morelands reflect on the tragic downfall of Thomas Bouchard, emphasizing how his inherent generosity became his vulnerability. Thomas's inability to extricate himself from a toxic relationship with Kelsey, compounded by his own emotional and financial investments, led to his untimely death. Judy Earp, left to grieve and rebuild her life, expresses profound disappointment and anger towards Kelsey, who manipulated and ultimately destroyed her future.
Heartfelt Conclusion:
"This case truly, truly broke my heart because I think the way life unfolds and the trauma that people have, there is probably some reasonable explanation for why Thomas was wanting to help out these young women in the first place... but the fact that at some point he said, hey, I'm done, I don't want to do this anymore, and him saying no led to his death as an elderly man is actually so devastating."
— Peyton Moreland [41:45]
Final Thoughts
"Murder With My Husband" Episode 276 paints a poignant picture of how benevolence can sometimes blind individuals to impending danger. Dr. Thomas Bouchard's legacy as a compassionate doctor is overshadowed by the circumstances of his death, serving as a sobering reminder of the complexities within human relationships and the potential perils of unchecked generosity.
For those interested in exploring more true crime stories that blend personal experiences with in-depth investigations, be sure to subscribe to Murder With My Husband on your preferred podcast platform.