Murder With My Husband

Episode 308: Catching the Boogeyman - The Murder of Robin Lawrence
Release Date: February 16, 2026
Hosts: Peyton Moreland & Garrett Moreland

Overview

In this chilling episode, Peyton and Garrett delve into the decades-old, brutal murder of Robin Lawrence—an unsolved crime from 1994 that finally found justice through the power of genetic genealogy. This case sparks a deep discussion about what makes a person capable of murder, whether true reform is possible for killers, and the haunting uncertainty for families affected by such crimes. As always, Peyton brings empathy and detail, while Garrett adds skepticism and hard-edged opinions.

Main Themes and Purpose

• True Crime Fascination & The Nature of Killers: The episode examines society’s obsession with understanding the minds behind heinous crimes, particularly whether a killer can ever truly change or if "once a killer, always a killer."
• Cold Case Breakthrough: A detailed recounting of how new forensic genealogy tools and relentless volunteer work finally solved a case that confounded detectives for nearly three decades.
• Family Impact & Unanswered Questions: The hosts highlight the pain, confusion, and bittersweet closure experienced by victims’ families, even after a conviction.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What Makes a Monster? (04:00–08:15)

• Nature vs. Nurture Debate: Peyton opens with psychological questions about killers—can their compulsions ever be suppressed or redirected?
• Garrett’s Stance: Garrett, maintaining his hard line:

  "I just think if you kill evil person, leave society." (06:45) "Once you cross that line of killing somebody... I dare to say a hundred percent of the time, if the opportunity presented itself again, they would do it." (07:25)

• Compulsion & Self-Control: Hosts discuss serial killers who try to “hold off” urges but inevitably kill again—drawing comparisons (with reservations) to addiction struggles.

2. The Life of Robin Lawrence (08:23–13:27)

• Robin’s Background:
  • Accomplished artist, director of advertising, wife, and mother.
  • “She was an extremely gifted artist, especially when it came to pencil sketches and watercolors.” (08:49)
  • Designed the first medal for the MLK Jr. Nonviolent Peace Prize (awarded to Rosa Parks).
• Her Family: Married Ollie Lawrence, lived a peaceful life in Springfield, VA with their 2-year-old daughter, Nicole.

3. The Murder — A Horrifying Scene (13:21–15:49)

• Discovery: After Robin went silent, friend Lori Lindberg entered the home, found 2-year-old Nicole alone and Robin brutally murdered.
• Crime Details:
  • Robin suffered 49 stab wounds; evidence suggested a violent struggle.
  • The killer left the crime scene without stealing valuables or assaulting Robin sexually.
  • Two-year-old Nicole survived alone for two days—traumatized but physically unharmed.
• Peyton’s Empathy:

  “I mean, she has been alone for two days... the psychological damage for those last two days would likely never go away.” (14:39)

4. The Investigation & Cold Case Years (19:37–26:49)

• Early Suspects: Focus on Ollie (ruled out, ironclad alibi), then his affair partner (also ruled out).
• Unknown DNA: Investigators found the killer’s blood at the scene, but it yielded no CODIS match for decades.
• Family’s Pain:

  “Their daughter was murdered, and they have no idea who did it or why. In fact, Robyn's mother actually passed away in 1994, not knowing what happened to her daughter that November night.” (24:06)

5. Genealogy Breakthrough (26:49–32:17)

• Enter Liz, the Volunteer: Amateur genealogist Liz took on Robin’s case in 2019, working with Parabon NanoLabs and family ancestry sites.
• The DNA Mountain: Over 1,500 possible “cousin” matches.

  "Liz would basically be trying to put together a family tree of 1500 people... almost have too much DNA to work with, a needle in a haystack." (26:50)

• DNA Phenotyping: Cutting-edge tech built a probable “suspect” sketch from genetic markers—but no one recognized the face.

6. The Break: Naming the Killer (30:09–33:02)

• Persistence Pays Off:
  • After 3.5 years, Liz identified relatives in Canada, leading to Stefan Smirk—a 52-year-old computer programmer with no criminal record, once stationed near the crime scene.
  • “On paper, he doesn’t seem like our guy, but he kind of looks like this sketch, and he was in the area, and the DNA is potential, so we're gonna go talk to him.” (32:03)

7. The Confession — Chilling Nonchalance (33:02–44:04)

• DNA Test & Immediate Confession:
  • When police request a cheek swab, Stefan is unbothered, even disinterested.
  • Later that night, he calls police:

    "Hey, I'm actually at the police department. I'm trying to turn myself in, but the doors are locked." (34:28) "What are you turning yourself in for?"
    "Murder." (34:28)

• Details of the Crime:
  • At 22, high on ephedrine and alcohol, Stefan claims “an impulse came over him” to kill.
  • Broke in randomly, picked Robin’s house by chance, showed no mercy, and left Nicole alone—staggering for its lack of motive or emotion.

    "There could have been 50 people in that house. I don't know... I just honestly wasn't even thinking about it." (40:19)

• No Remorse:

  "He told detectives... 'I don't really feel bad for the family. I don't know them. I didn't know her. She was a completely random stranger.'" (42:13) "The only feelings I have about this crime are for my own sake... my personal freedom could be affected by it." (42:22)

8. The Aftermath & Sentencing (44:07–50:59)

• The Double Life: Stefan built a respectable life—wife, kids, high salary—while hiding this monstrous past.
• Courtroom Apologies: At sentencing, Stefan finally addressed Robin’s family and apologized, but as Garrett noted:

  "I just think that he's saying what he thinks people want to hear. I just don't believe him. I'm sorry." (49:18)

• Sentence: Life with all but 70 years suspended; eligible for parole in 2037 at age 65.
• Family’s Mixed Closure: Emotional reactions from Robin’s family, painful proximity (her niece’s friends lived across from Stefan), and questions about whether he could have killed again.

9. Reflections & The Nature of Evil (50:16–54:22)

• Lingering Questions:

  “Is that monster still there? Like, that doesn't just go away because you get caught. Is it living dormant?” (50:59)

• Garrett Doubts Reform:

  "I don't believe that he wouldn't have killed again before he died. I don't believe that he wasn't looking at, like, child pornography or other crazy things... You kill someone and admit you want to kill people and then just live a normal life? That's not possible." (51:20)

• What Makes a Serial Killer?: Can someone kill like this—seemingly at random—and then never again? Both hosts voice skepticism and warn of the dangers of release.
• Humanizing the Victim: Peyton calls for the audience to remember Robin’s family and the years of pain and uncertainty they endured.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Garrett, on repeat offenders:

  "Once a killer, always a killer." (08:15)

• On ephedrine-fueled violence:

  "I'm gonna kill somebody tonight. He drove around... and eventually picked out Robin's house." (39:25)

• On the randomness of evil:

  "There could have been 50 people in that house... I just honestly wasn't even thinking about it." (40:19)

• Stefan’s chilling self-analysis:

  "I honestly believe that if it wasn't for my wife and my kids, I probably would be a serial killer." (43:56)

• Family proximity to the killer:

  "Robin's niece, Lauren, said some of her closest friends actually lived across the street from Stefan and his family... by her aunt's killer's house dozens of times with no idea." (45:00)

• Garrett’s hard stance:

  "You don't kill people... you kill someone, goodbye. And it'll always be like that." (53:27)

Key Timestamps

• 04:00–08:15: Nature of killers debate
• 13:21–15:49: Crime discovery and details
• 19:37–26:49: Early investigation and DNA dead ends
• 26:49–32:17: Genealogy and DNA phenotyping
• 33:02–44:04: Police interview, confession, and Stefan’s story
• 44:07–50:59: Aftermath, sentencing, and family impact
• 50:16–54:22: Reflection on serial killers, reformation, and remembering Robin

Tone and Style

The episode blends Peyton’s empathetic, descriptive storytelling with Garrett’s blunt skepticism. The hosts maintain a conversational style—often interjecting with reactions, analogies, and tough questions—making the episode emotionally charged and thought-provoking.

Final Reflection

Murder With My Husband Episode 308 confronts listeners with the terrifying prospect of a killer who seemingly committed a single, random act of evil and seamlessly returned to normal life for almost three decades. The show highlights the persistence of a determined volunteer, the pain and confusion that linger for victims’ families, and the unsettling uncertainty over what really lurks inside certain people.

In Peyton’s words:

“This case actually brings up a lot of questions that we stumble upon in true crime, especially when it comes to serial killers or people who kill out of enjoyment. What's going on in the brain? Can there be reform?” (52:38)

And in Garrett's:

"You don't kill people... you kill someone, goodbye." (53:27)