Sheila LaBarre

Summary

Snapped: Women Who Murder – Episode Summary: Sheila LaBarre

Release Date: February 2, 2025

Introduction

In this gripping episode of Snapped: Women Who Murder, Oxygen delves into the chilling case of Sheila LaBarre, a seemingly charming woman whose dark secrets unravel to reveal a series of heinous crimes. Spanning over two decades, the story uncovers layers of manipulation, control, and violence that culminate in a dramatic police investigation and a shocking trial.

Background of Kenneth County

Kenneth County Jr., born on July 18, 1981, in Tewksbury, Massachusetts, struggled with mental limitations throughout his adult life. Despite these challenges, Kenneth aspired to lead an independent life. With the support of his mother, Caroline Lodge, he secured an apartment and a job at a local car wash, striving to build connections and find love.

Introduction of Sheila LaBarre

Sheila LaBarre, the youngest of six children from Fort Payne, Alabama, harbored dreams of becoming a country music singer. In 1987, Sheila met Dr. Wilfred LaBarre, a 61-year-old chiropractor from Epping, New Hampshire. Their relationship appeared stable until Wilfred's untimely death in 2000, after which Sheila inherited his sprawling 115-acre farm, Mercedes, Cadillac, and other assets, making her the richest woman in town.

Meeting of Kenneth and Sheila

In February 2006, seeking companionship, Sheila turned to phone dating services, where she met Kenneth County through a chat line. Their relationship quickly intensified, leading Kenneth to move to Sheila's farm in Epping, fulfilling his dream of independence. As Kenneth settled into his new life, concerns began to surface about Sheila's control over him.

Initial Disappearance

By March 23, 2006, Caroline Lodge grew increasingly worried as Kenneth failed to return his calls and missed work. She reported his disappearance to the Epping police, who initially visited Sheila's farm on February 24, 2006. During this visit, Kenneth appeared unharmed and expressed happiness about living with Sheila. However, a month later, Kenneth vanished without a trace, prompting renewed investigation.

Investigation Begins

On March 24, 2006, investigators returned to Sheila's farm. Detective Gallagher recounted, “Sheila comes down the road and kind of starts screaming immediately, what are you doing?” (17:41) Their suspicions were further aroused when they discovered bone fragments in a burn pit near the house, leading them to believe that something terrible had occurred.

Discovery of Evidence

The police obtained a search warrant and revisited the property on March 31, 2006. They found Sheila LaBarre kneeling by the burn pit, covered in ashes, with a plain plastic Walmart bag nearby. When questioned, Sheila became evasive, claiming the bone fragments were from a rabbit. However, lab results confirmed the bone fragments were human (28:28). Inside the farmhouse, investigators found extensive blood spatter, indicating multiple violent attacks.

Sheila's Background and Potential Other Victims

Further investigation revealed Sheila's tumultuous history of relationships. Before Kenneth, Sheila was involved with Michael Deloje, a 38-year-old man with a history of substance abuse, who had disappeared seven months prior to Kenneth's case. Audio recordings suggested Sheila coerced men into confessing crimes they didn’t commit, raising fears of additional victims (37:38).

Arrest and Confession

On April 2, 2006, after a widespread manhunt, Sheila was apprehended in Revere, Massachusetts. Under interrogation, she confessed to murdering Kenneth and Michael but claimed insanity, insisting she was not in control of her actions during the crimes. “I confessed to the state psychiatric expert about her version, exactly how she killed both of these men,” stated Detective 3 (42:17).

Trial and Verdict

The trial commenced in May 2008, where Sheila pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. Experts testified about her erratic behavior and manipulative tendencies. Despite her claims, the jury found her guilty on all counts on June 20, 2008, delivering justice to the victims’ families (44:45). However, doubts lingered as DNA evidence suggested the possibility of additional, unidentified victims.

Conclusion

Sheila LaBarre was sentenced to consecutive life terms without the possibility of parole, securing her place behind bars. Yet, authorities remain vigilant, continuing to investigate potential other victims linked to Sheila’s past. The case leaves us questioning the true extent of her manipulations and the dark depths of her criminal actions.

Notable Quotes

• Detective 4: “I want to know where he is.” (14:25)
• Witness 1: “I think it was more towards the end of the search, toes that were found at Sheila's home and sent off for a DNA comparison and they did not match Michael Deloitte or Kenneth County.” (45:25)
• Detective 1: “Sheila purposely, after finding out she could be held accountable, went to lengths to take out money, escape the jurisdiction, hide her appearance.” (44:10)
• Expert 2: “There is no evidence against Kenneth County or Michael Deloje for ever being a pedophile, ever committing such an act, or being sex offenders.” (45:03)

Lingering Questions

Despite Sheila’s conviction, investigators continue to explore the possibility of more victims connected to her. The absence of evidence linking other potential crimes leaves the door open for further investigations, ensuring that the quest for truth and justice remains ongoing.

This summary encapsulates the key elements of the Sheila LaBarre case as presented in the Snapped: Women Who Murder podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview for listeners and non-listeners alike.

Transcript

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[Narrator]

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[Narrator]

For one young man searching for love, a bucolic farm in New Hampshire offers the promise of romance and a fresh start.

[Detective 1]

It was everything that he had hoped for. He wanted to have a girlfriend.

[Detective 2]

She owns the farm, 115 acres. She is the richest woman in town.

[Narrator]

But when he suddenly disappears, it becomes clear this idyllic life is not what it seems.

[Detective 3]

At first, it didn't seem like it was going to turn into such a big case. But as it went along, it became huge.

[Narrator]

Investigators uncover a twisted world of sexual seduction, vengeance and control.

[Detective 3]

It was one of the largest homicide scenes in the state of New Hampshire ever.

[Detective 4]

You've got a predator going after the same type of prey. We started getting real concerned that we were going to have other victims.

[Narrator]

A quiet rural town with a monster in its midst.

[Witness 1]

I don't know if he's been killed, I don't know.

[Expert 1]

It was almost immediately apparent from the first time I met her, she was absolutely stark raving, man, how girls, you had it.

[Detective 4]

Come on in.

[Witness 1]

I guess you had it coming.

[Narrator]

February 24, 2006. Temperatures are hovering just below freezing in Epping, New Hampshire. It's been four days since Caroline Lodge, who lives about 45 miles south in Massachusetts, has heard from her son and she's starting to worry.

[Detective 3]

I was working a patrol shift as a patrol sergeant and we received a 911 call from Carolyn Lodge, who was the mother of individual in his 20s named Kenneth County.

[Detective 1]

She had concerns because Kenny had some mental limitations. His mother would check in on him sort of on a very frequent basis to make sure all the normal things were being taken care of.

[Detective 2]

He had a job working in a car wash. Carolyn talks to his boss, he hasn't showed up for work.

[Detective 1]

Carolyn had historically had fairly continuous contacts with her son, so it was alarming to her.

[Narrator]

Caroline tells police Kenny had only recently moved to Epping, New Hampshire to live with his girlfri, 47 year old Sheila LaBar.

[Detective 1]

Kenny wanted to be a normal guy. He wanted to have connections with friendships and he wanted to be in a romantic relationship and have a girlfriend.

[Narrator]

However, Kenny's sudden move has his mother worried.

[Detective 2]

She says Sheila has taken him away from the setup that he had and isn't returning him to his regular life. And she considers Sheila being Kenny's abductor.

[Detective 1]

Carolyn was somewhat worried about Kenneth's ability to take care of himself, stand up for himself. She was a mom who was worried about her son.

[Narrator]

Epping police agree to pay a visit.

[Detective 4]

To sheila's farm on February 24, 2006. Sergeant Gallagher and I did go to the LA Bar farm. We banged on the rear door of the home. We asked Sheila, where's Kenny? A few minutes later, Kenny came down wrapped in a towel and we asked him if he wanted to be there. He said, oh, heck, yeah, he looked happy to be there. He told us he wanted to be there. We don't have that type of power to forcibly remove an adult from a location that they want to be in and we shouldn't. That was that. And.

[Narrator]

Police confirm that Kenny seems fine. However, a month later, on March 23, 2006, Caroline Lodge calls Epping police again.

[Detective 1]

Before Sheila invited Kenny to come up and live with her, he had an apartment with friend in Massachusetts.

[Detective 2]

Carolyn had spoken to his roommate, found out that Kenny hadn't been around in more than a month, and she spoke to Sheila and Sheila said that Kenny wasn't around anymore. So now he really is missing.

[Narrator]

Born in Tewksbury, Massachusetts on July 18, 1981, Kenneth County Jr. Struggled most of his adult life.

[Detective 2]

Kenney county was a mentally disabled man. His childhood had been relatively carefree. He was well cared for, but he became an adult and he wanted to get away and be independent.

[Detective 1]

He finally was able to get an apartment, live with a friend. His mother certainly helped set him up to have the life of a normal 20 year old, despite some of his limitations.

[Narrator]

Kenny moved 15 minutes away from his mother to the nearby town of Wilmington, Massachusetts with his roommate, who helped Kenny get a job at a car wash.

[Detective 2]

Kenny wanted to be an independent adult man. He was desperately lonely, which is why he joined a telephone dating service.

[Detective 1]

This is before the age of apps and people meeting in that way. And so there were phone chat lines and people would call these phone lines in an effort to meet somebody to go out on dates with.

[Narrator]

It was on a chat line that Kenneth first met 47 year old Sheila Labar.

[Detective 1]

Beyond simply being attractive and having a gray southern accent, Sheila was very adept at reading people and giving them what she felt they wanted.

[Narrator]

The youngest of six children, Sheila LaBar grew up in Fort Payne, Alabama.

[Detective 4]

From what I hear is not a very affluent area. She had a really rough childhood.

[Narrator]

As a teenager, Sheila loved to sing and dreamed of becoming a model or country music singer when she grew up.

[Witness 1]

There comes a time when we will be cold and peace.

[Expert 1]

This was someone who was once a beauty contestant. She really was an extremely stunning young lady.

[Narrator]

In 1987, Sheila was in her late 20s when she first met Dr. Wilfred Lebar of Epping, New Hampshire through a singer.

[Detective 3]

Everybody in town knew Wilfred Lebar. He was a chiropractor by trade and I think that's, you know, where he made his money for his, his horse farm, which is a very beautiful piece of property.

[Narrator]

Widowed at 57, the chiropractor lived alone on the sprawling 115 acre property.

[Expert 2]

He was at a point in his life he was lonely, he was looking for female companionship.

[Detective 2]

So he puts an ad in a newspaper and Sheila answers the ad. There's a tremendous age difference. She is in her late 20s, maybe 30 years old, he's 61, but it doesn't seem to matter.

[Detective 3]

Sheila was oisterous and fun free and she easily drew Bill in.

[Narrator]

After a few visits in Alabama, Bill was smitten with Sheila and she returned with him to Epping.

[Detective 2]

Sheila stuck out in Epping, New Hampshire, like fire engine red Lips in a black and white movie. She was flamboyant. She drove a Mercedes. She was in town for maybe 48 hours before everyone knew she was there.

[Narrator]

But Sheila had no trouble settling into life on the farm.

[Expert 1]

Sheila was an animal lover and especially loved her rabbits and was doting on them.

[Narrator]

Though Bill and Sheila never married, she took his last name. However, 13 years after she arrived in New Hampshire, tragedy struck.

[Detective 1]

Billabar died at a somewhat early age in 2000 because of heart problems. And when he passed away, despite having family and children, the entire state went to Sheila.

[Narrator]

She inherited everything, the farm, acres of land, the Mercedes, the Cadillac. I think there was a couple of trucks.

[Detective 2]

The family is shocked to find out that in his last years, he had changed his will, giving the family only scraps and leaving everything to Sheila. She is the richest woman in town.

[Narrator]

Sheila worked hard to keep the massive farm running, but she was lonely. After Bill's death, she turned to phone dating.

[Detective 4]

Sheila loved going on these chat lines, and she would call people and talk all night.

[Narrator]

And In February of 2006, after Sheila first spoke with Kenneth county through the chat line, their relationship moved quickly.

[Detective 1]

They went out on their first date on Valentine's day.

[Expert 2]

He was a young guy that was sort of struggling to find his way in the world. Life wasn't always easy for him.

[Detective 1]

Sheila invited Kenny to come up and live at the farm. There were expectations that he would help maintain the enormous property and that he would have a home.

[Narrator]

Just days after their first date, Kenny moved an hour north to epping, New Hampshire.

[Detective 2]

Kenny moves in with Sheila. This is really his dream. He's independent of his mother. He's out in the real world. He's through the moon. For Sheila labar, crazy in love, the.

[Narrator]

Promising new life seemed the answer to both of their prayers. But just a month after the move, Kenny's mother, Caroline, contacts authorities for a second time.

[Detective 3]

On March 23, 2006, Carolyn Lodge had called Sheila Labarre to check on her son and found out that Kenneth was no longer at the house. Sheila, she believed that Kenneth had gone back to Massachusetts.

[Detective 1]

Carolyn called the police demanding that something was wrong and they needed to go find her son.

[Narrator]

Coming up, investigators return to Sheila's farm.

[Detective 4]

We decided we were going to go out to check for Kenneth county one more time.

[Detective 3]

As soon as I kicked the door very eerily, somebody yelled, what are you doing?

[Narrator]

And what they find is haunting.

[Detective 4]

I want to know where he is.

[Detective 3]

That's all.

[Narrator]

March 24, 2006. Investigators in Epping, New Hampshire, are en route to Sheila LaBar's farm for the second time in a month in search of missing 24 year old Kenny county.

[Detective 4]

I had gotten on duty at 5pm and right around 6pm we decided we were going to go out to Sheila lebar's house to check for Kenneth county one more time.

[Detective 3]

As we drove out there that night to Sheila's house, it was dark. Somebody was burning something. There was a barrel, a 55 gallon, rusted out barrel, a burned pile on the ground. There were no lights on in the house, no lights on outside.

[Detective 1]

Here in New Hampshire, burning debris isn't something that's uncommon. When people burn, though, they get a burn permit. It has to be during certain hours. This was at night and it is dark out and there are burning piles right next to the house.

[Detective 3]

All Sheila's vehicles were at the property. We had every reason to believe at that point in time that possibly both Sheila and Kenny were still in the home. Ultimately, we knocked on the door and tried to get a hold of somebody. Nobody came to the door. And we walked back out to take a closer look at the burned pit that was in the middle of the front yard. I was extremely happy not to be alone because this was getting spookier and more eerie by the second.

[Narrator]

Investigators are looking around when they spot something unusual jutting from the burn pile.

[Detective 4]

I put my gloves on, I bent down. I'll never forget it. I picked it up and I looked at it and I showed sergeant Gallagher.

[Detective 3]

In the fire pit, there was what appeared to be a bone. As a police officer, the sense really kicks in that something is very seriously wrong at that home. And the concern for Kenny and Sheila had gone through the roof.

[Detective 4]

Is it plausible that that could be an animal bone? Absolutely. But we wanted to enter that residence to make sure that there wasn't anything happening to Sheila, wasn't anything happening to Kenny. We said, well, we got to get into the home now.

[Detective 3]

As soon as I kicked the door very eerily, somebody yelled, what are you doing? And it actually made me jump.

[Narrator]

The officers suddenly find they are not alone.

[Detective 4]

Sheila comes down the road and kind of starts screaming immediately, what are you doing?

[Detective 3]

Sheila had been grocery shopping. This is just perfect timing. We explained that we were there to check on. Kenneth said, yeah, he left. He left on his own.

[Narrator]

Sheila says kenny left a few days earlier and she has not heard from him since.

[Detective 3]

That's when I asked her what the bone in the fire pit was from. She immediately stated, well, that's a rabbit or a pedophile. I asked her why did you say that it's a rabbit or a pedophile. And she claimed that she did not say it was a pedophile, that she never said that. Our concerns were really, really high at that point that something terrible happened to Kenneth. And we asked her if we could take the bone that we found in the burn pile. And she said no.

[Narrator]

Sheila demands the officers leave her property.

[Detective 4]

She said, don't come back without a search warrant or something to that effect. So we got in the car. You know, I was not happy that we were leaving, but that's what we had to do. There's a whole lot of red flags that I had just observed and I just didn't like driving away from it. But we did. When we leave, we still have a missing person. So that starts a clock.

[Narrator]

The next day, a judge signs the search Warrant. And at 8:50am Authorities return to Sheila's farm.

[Detective 3]

We found Sheila Bar kneeling in her front yard by the fire pit. She was covered in ashes and sitting on this chair, there was a plain plastic Walmart bag.

[Narrator]

Noticeably absent is the bone officers saw the day prior. With their suspicions heightened, police ask Sheila if she is armed and she proceeds to hand over a.38 caliber handgun.

[Detective 3]

We had asked her if she had any other weapons. She said no. She exposed her breasts to show us she had no weapons. It was very, very strange. Two of the officers talk with her and the rest of us began a search of the outside of the home.

[Narrator]

An officer asks Sheila outright, where is Kenny?

[Witness 1]

He said, I call him Adam Olympian LaBarre. He wanted to change his name to my name.

[Detective 3]

Sherry, can I ask you.

[Witness 1]

Go ahead.

[Detective 3]

The night before you left, what went on here? Did you argue, fight? Was there anything going on between you.

[Expert 2]

And when do you think he left?

[Witness 1]

I don't know. I fell asleep.

[Detective 4]

The bottom line, the chief and I both know and you want to know where he is.

[Witness 1]

That's all. Even that back.

[Detective 4]

He is in the bag.

[Narrator]

Which bag did you say he was in?

[Detective 3]

When you said, I guess he's in there.

[Narrator]

Which.

[Witness 1]

The Walmart bag.

[Detective 3]

When we looked in the bag, it appeared to be full of bone fragments. I felt like that was the worst possible scenario that could have happened. I obviously suspected that he was deceased and couldn't comprehend what would have happened to him to reduce him to be in a bag.

[Narrator]

Coming up, Sheila exhibits more bizarre behavior.

[Detective 3]

She stated that she would only go to the police department if she could bring one of her rabbits.

[Narrator]

And Sheila accuses Kenney county of the unthinkable. Unthinkable.

[Witness 1]

He Admitted to raping children, his family.

[Detective 1]

Did you say anything to him?

[Witness 1]

Yes, I said. I said, oh, my God.

[Detective 3]

Hey, it's John Legend.

[Narrator]

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[Detective 3]

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[Expert 2]

Thank you.

[Detective 4]

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[Detective 3]

Plus, we got new coach Kelsey Ballerini.

[Narrator]

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[Detective 3]

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[Detective 4]

So excited to beat you guys, even though I seem sweet. Join us for a new season of the Voice where you can see us having fun like this every single show. The new season of the Voice premieres Monday on NBC.

[Narrator]

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[Detective 1]

We are going to arrive in style.

[Witness 1]

I feel so elegant. You can't wear anything that people have seen you in.

[Narrator]

That's the kiss of death.

[Witness 1]

I'm living my best life. Beverly Hills is where marriages come to die.

[Advertiser 1]

PK and I have agreed to separate.

[Narrator]

I'm done.

[Witness 1]

I'm not doing this anymore.

[Narrator]

It's time to let go of the past.

[Witness 1]

Is there more to the story?

[Detective 1]

Absolutely.

[Detective 3]

Step into the spotlight with the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

[Detective 1]

Every Tuesday at 8 on Bravo and streaming on Peacock.

[Narrator]

In March 2006, authorities investigating the disappearance of 24 year old old Kenny county are searching a farm in Epping, New Hampshire, owned by Kenny's girlfriend, 47 year old Sheila Labarre.

[Detective 3]

It was filthy. There were rabbits all over the place. Probably, you know, 100 plus rabbits at this home.

[Narrator]

Officers are pressing Sheila for more information after she made a terrifying comment concerning Kenny.

[Detective 3]

She said, he's right there in the Walmart bag. And she pointed to the bag that was on the chair.

[Detective 4]

Do you think somebody killed Kenny?

[Witness 1]

I don't know if he's been killed. I don't know.

[Narrator]

Okay.

[Witness 1]

Unless that's him out there.

[Detective 3]

Why do you keep saying that?

[Detective 4]

I mean, you keep telling me that.

[Witness 1]

Because it's too many bones for a rabbit.

[Narrator]

Investigators collect the bag full of bone fragments for testing and send Sheila down to the police station for a formal interview.

[Detective 3]

She stated that she would only go to the police department if she could bring one of her rabbits.

[Witness 1]

So when, when did you first meet him? On February 14th of September. Except the ash one. But first, originally he hit me up with messages on a chat line. Okay, and how did it go when you met her? Well, my first thought was when I looked at. I thought, well, Sheila, I don't talk to myself. I was thinking, I'm 47. You know, he's legal age. He wants to chase me. So. Okay. No, he'll talk.

[Narrator]

She said says that their relationship started strong but ended abruptly on March 21st or 22nd, when she discovered that Adam was hiding a dark secret.

[Witness 1]

Adam is Kenneth Michael county, but he wanted to change his name. Okay. What happened that last day that you saw Adam? He confessed this to me. That he has raped numerous children. He didn't start in with this.

[Detective 1]

Obviously.

[Witness 1]

I wouldn't have let him stay in my home.

[Detective 3]

You stay in April?

[Witness 1]

Yes. I said you're a pedophile. You're a pedicle.

[Narrator]

However, authorities find the accusations against Kenny are simply not true.

[Detective 3]

There is no evidence and not even a sliver of an investigation against Kenneth county for ever being a pedophile. There's no evidence of that. There's no reports of that.

[Narrator]

Sheila says after Kenny left her farm, she burned everything he touched, including the mattress that he had been sleeping on in her living room.

[Witness 1]

It screws me up.

[Narrator]

Detectives, try moving the focus back to Kenny's whereabouts.

[Witness 1]

Okay. How did those bones get in your fire? I don't have the answer. You don't have the answer? I only don't want me to. Is it possible that maybe he did something? If there was an accident, if he tortured me, I would not admit it. Why not?

[Detective 1]

Why not?

[Detective 3]

She'll.

[Narrator]

Just come up with the truth.

[Detective 4]

Sheila.

[Expert 2]

And it'll make you feel better.

[Narrator]

After a few hours, Sheila has worked herself into near hysterics and asks to end the interview.

[Detective 1]

We still did not have enough to make the arrest of Sheila Labar. So it was determined she would be released that night, but that police would tail her and follow her. After she left the police department, she did go back to Manchester and stayed in a hotel.

[Narrator]

Investigators ask Sheila not to return to her residence until they have finished processing the scene.

[Detective 3]

We had 60 plus officers do the large exterior search at Sheila's farm.

[Detective 4]

The exterior of the home comprised two burn pits.

[Narrator]

The property is over 100 acres, and the search efforts are extensive.

[Detective 3]

We had found hedge clippers, knife handle, a saw handle. There were bone fragments found in that fire pit. We collected as much evidence from the outside as we could. Those bone fragments went off to the University of Maine.

[Narrator]

Investigators hear back from the lab with chilling results.

[Detective 3]

Within a matter of four hours. That came back that those bone fragments were indeed human. The property was blocked off by police. We had shut down the scene as an act of crime scene.

[Narrator]

When the search team enters the farmhouse, no one is prepared for what they find.

[Detective 4]

I walk into the home and I'm looking around and I remember the state trooper in charge. He walks in, he says, what do you see? And I'm colorblind, so I have a tough time seeing some colors. He said, it's a bloodbath in here. And I looked at him and I said, what do you mean? And this trooper started pointing out blood everywhere. There's blood here, there's blood here, there's blood here. Literally, there was blood everywhere inside this home.

[Narrator]

In the living room where Kenny slept, they find an empty area where they believe his mattress used to be.

[Detective 3]

There was blood cast off, found on the wall, consistent with the swinging of a blunt force trauma instrument or a knife.

[Detective 4]

So obviously that kicks off an exhaustive search.

[Narrator]

Investigators find nearly 1,000 hours of audio recordings of Sheila's conversations with her husband, Bill labarre, Kenney county and other men. And detectives are quick to notice another disturbing detail.

[Detective 2]

The crime scene investigators noticed that the blood splatters were not all the same age. Some was fresh, some was old, some was dust covered.

[Detective 3]

I've seen my fair share of death. You know, there was a creepy feeling something horrific happened there.

[Narrator]

Coming up, is this farm a place of refuge or revenge?

[Detective 1]

Neighbors had called about odd behavior.

[Expert 2]

Neighbors would see men running away from the.

[Narrator]

March 27, 2006, New Hampshire State Investigators are searching Sheila labar's farmhouse for missing 24 year old Kenneth county when they come across an appalling scene.

[Detective 2]

They find blood splatter all over the house and blood splatter of different ages. But it didn't all happen at the same time.

[Narrator]

Blood samples are collected and sent out for analysis. While awaiting lab results, authorities dig deeper into Sheila's background.

[Detective 1]

Sheila was quite a character in town. The police were familiar with the lebar farm.

[Detective 3]

I think Sheila and Wilfred lebar's relationship was more tumultuous than anything else. The police department would be involved several times with domestic disputes.

[Narrator]

According to friends and neighbors, after her husband's death, there was a revolving door of men in Sheila's life. I knew that Sheila was pretty promiscuous. She didn't hide it, I'll tell you that. She was picking up her men from the homeless shelter.

[Detective 1]

Neighbors had called about odd behavior, seeing men go down to the farm and then they would see them being dropped off by Sheila at the end of the driveway, sometimes with bruises and markings on their body.

[Expert 2]

Neighbors would see men, you know, running away from the farm.

[Narrator]

Neighbors tell investigators that before Kenney county showed up There was another man living with Sheila named Michael Deloje.

[Expert 2]

Sheila's neighbors said he was a man who she picked up at a local homeless shelter in Portsmouth.

[Narrator]

However, when detectives tracked down Michael deloje's family, they learn that no one has seen him since July of 2005, about seven months before Kenny moved in.

[Detective 2]

Michael Deloje is 38 years old, and he has been out on his own for a while. His family's used to him not being around from, not hearing from him. They say he has a drinking problem. He's been known to take drugs, which is why he's in the halfway house.

[Expert 2]

She brought him to the farm. She gave him a place to live and food, and he was working at the farm for her. They engaged in a very intense sexual relationship. I think he saw Sheila as providing some sense of security.

[Detective 2]

At first, Michael Deloge's family is thrilled. But one day they get a letter from Sheila accusing them of abusing Mikey. And this is all confusing and frightening to them. And of course, none of it was true.

[Narrator]

Investigators also find audio and video of Michael in Sheila's batch of recordings.

[Detective 3]

2004.

[Expert 2]

This tape is for my mother and I starting to remember things about the past. You really messed me up. You psychologically damaged me. And if it wasn't for Sheila, I wouldn't know half the things I know. Now that I know what I know, I don't want to visit you.

[Narrator]

In February of 2005, Michael's family received another letter from Sheila's address asking them to leave him and Sheila alone.

[Detective 2]

The family of Mikey deloache has been extorted into leaving them alone. The next time they try to get in touch, she'll said, he's not here anymore. He left. He didn't say where he was going.

[Detective 3]

Family members had actually assumed that he had left there and just went traveling. The search kind of turned into what happened to Michael? Where is he? And does any of the evidence that was already located in the home, such as blood spatter or blood stains, did any of it possibly belong to him?

[Narrator]

While investigators sift through the evidence collected on the farm, they get word that Sheila may be looking to see skip town.

[Detective 1]

A woman came by the police department in Epping. She explained that she and her daughter were at a pet store the day before and they'd met Sheila, who had one of her rabbits with her. She offered them money in order to care for her rabbit. The three women ended up having a conversation which led to Sheila going back home with them. They were watching the evening news and the news was reporting the missing person's investigation regarding Ken County. Sheila Labar at that time, started explaining that Ken county was her boyfriend.

[Narrator]

The woman says Sheila then asked for a ride to a local bank.

[Detective 1]

Sheila. She was concerned she was being framed and that she needed to get bail money. The woman described driving Sheila Labar to a branch of TD bank and observing Sheila Labar withdraw $85,000 from the bank. After that, she dropped Shiela Labar off on the side of the road and had no further contact with her.

[Detective 3]

I had been fearful the whole time that she would leave. I know that she had access to funds.

[Detective 1]

We are trying to figure out what our next moves are. While we're continuing to build the case, we are still sorting through all the stuff that's in the house.

[Narrator]

Investigators dig deeper into the hundreds of hours of audio recording.

[Detective 4]

I haven't seen another cachet of recordings like that in the rest of my career.

[Narrator]

In these recordings, Sheila seems to coerce her male visitors into making alleged confessions.

[Witness 1]

I am struggling with the issue of whether to go forward to have charges brought against this individual by severe, repeated, horrible acts of child molestation.

[Detective 3]

I could hear her questioning Kenneth about being a pedophile and asking him over and over again, you are a pedophile, aren't you? And at some point, he did say yes. And then she said, kenneth county is not now pretending to throw up. And then she said, why are you passing out? Kenneth county is now faking that he passed out.

[Narrator]

The recordings suggest Kenny was under duress when he made these statements.

[Detective 3]

There was no evidence that he was a pedophile. No indication that he. He ever did anything like that.

[Narrator]

Investigators sorting through photos in the house make another disturbing discovery.

[Expert 2]

The most eerie picture was this picture that she took herself of Kenneth county at the Walmart in Epping. And he has a gas can in the front of his cot. And that was within a day or so of her killing him and burning him.

[Narrator]

When the state lab finally issues its report, the findings are damning.

[Expert 2]

There was actual blood spatter that was matched to Kenneth county and his DNA.

[Detective 2]

They used DNA technology to determine that both Kenneth Counties and Michael Deloje's blood, but all over the walls at sheila's house.

[Narrator]

On March 31, authorities are finally able to issue an arrest warrant for Sheila. There's only one problem.

[Detective 3]

Nobody knew where she was. You know, I had some fears that something may happen where she would never face trial for this.

[Narrator]

Coming up, the manhunt for Sheila intensifies.

[Detective 4]

There was a BOLO put out for Sheila Bar. Be on the lookout.

[Narrator]

And investigators worst fears are realized.

[Detective 4]

It starts to become clear that we may have more victims.

[Narrator]

Sheila Labar, the prime suspect in the disappearance of 24 year old Kenny county, has just withdrawn over $85,000 and fled town.

[Detective 4]

So there was a BOLO put out for Sheila Barre. Be on the lookout. And that gets broadcast through Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

[Detective 2]

It was on the news that the police had issued a warrant for Sheila's arrest, which caused a witness to phone in that she'd been in Revere, Massachusetts.

[Detective 1]

He told us she was hitchhiking and looking for a ride down to Massachusetts and so he picked her up. And so police were sent to their location and they found who they believed to be Sheila Labar in a parking lot. However, her hair was now dyed red. She denied that she was Sheila Labar for quite some time, but it was apparent based on the photographs police had of her and she was finally arrested.

[Narrator]

On April 2, 2006. Sheila is finally behind bars, but investigators still have questions.

[Detective 1]

We come across some of the blood smears, spatter that were in the home that did not match Mike Deloje or Penn County's DNA.

[Detective 4]

As we're investigating this, it starts to become clear that we may have more victims.

[Narrator]

With evidence piling up against her, Sheila finally comes clean. But there's a catch.

[Detective 3]

After she was arrested, she had obtained legal counsel. She wanted to plead insanity. But understanding in order to do so that she had to provide a confession.

[Expert 2]

She confessed to the state psychiatric expert about her version, exactly how she killed both of these men. Now do I believe those versions are true? No, I don't. But then she said I was not sane when I did it.

[Narrator]

In April of 2006, Sheila Labar is charged with the murders of Kenneth county and Michael Deloge.

[Detective 3]

Ultimately she killed Kenneth. I thought she probably stabbed him over and over again, which created all that blood cast while he lied in bed. When she realized that she had killed him, she decided to dismember him and burn him in an attempt to hide. I think Michael Delosh suffered much the same fate.

[Narrator]

At her trial In May of 2008, Sheila pleads not guilty by reason of insanity.

[Expert 1]

It was almost immediately apparent. From the first time I met her, she was absolutely stark raving mad. That's basically the heart of any insanity. The client did it but should not be held responsible for it.

[Detective 2]

There's a big difference between mental illness and insanity. Insanity is a legal distinction. The perp did not understand the difference in quality between right and wrong.

[Detective 1]

Sheila purposely, after Finding out she could be held accountable, went to lengths to take out money, escape the jurisdiction, hide her appearance. And these are all things that show she knows what she's doing.

[Narrator]

On June 20, 2008, after 13 hours of deliberation, jurors return with a verdict guilty on all counts.

[Expert 2]

It was a very emotional verdict. Both Kenneth County's family and Michael Delange's mother were in the courtroom. There was a lot of just plain relief and tears by those family members that this woman met justice.

[Detective 3]

There is no evidence against Kenneth county or Michael Deloje for ever being a pedophile, ever committing such an act, or being sex offenders.

[Narrator]

Even now, detectives wonder, are there more victims?

[Detective 3]

I think it was more towards the end of the search, toes that were found at Sheila's home and sent off for a DNA comparison and they did not match Michael Deloitte or Kenneth County. To this date, Sheila has never mentioned the third victim. She will not talk about it. And that section of this case remains open.

[Narrator]

Sheila LaBarre is serving consecutive life sentences.

[Detective 1]

In the New Hampshire Correctional Facility for Women without any possibility, possibility of parole. No other victims have ever been identified on Sheila's property.

[Narrator]

Harvard is the oldest and richest university in America. But when a social media fueled fight over Harvard and its new president broke out last fall, that was no protection.

[Detective 3]

Claudine Gay is now gone. We've exposed the DEI regime and there's much more to come.

[Narrator]

This is the Harvard Plan, a special series from the Boston Globe and WNYC's on the Media to listen. Subscribe to on the Media wherever you get your podcasts.