Judy Church was aware of her boyfriend Leroy Fowler’s relationship with another woman but chose to remain hopeful that he would eventually choose her. Church and Leroy had been in a relationship for approximately a decade, meeting after Leroy’s divorce when he became a tenant in Church’s Salisbury, Massachusetts home. Church, a former teacher, was the primary provider in the relationship and often showered Leroy with gifts, including a motorcycle.
Despite their long history, Leroy was involved with Barbara Randall for eight years, reconnecting with her on social media platform Facebook. Church disapproved of this relationship and even reached out to Barbara in an attempt to end it, accusing Leroy of deceit and labeling him a coward. On Leroy’s 55th birthday on November 11, 2022, Church called 911 reporting Leroy’s sudden illness, claiming he had ingested something causing severe symptoms.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Leroy was placed on life support as his condition rapidly deteriorated due to suspected antifreeze poisoning. Leroy’s family, suspecting foul play, implicated Church, revealing Leroy’s concerns of being poisoned by her. Subsequent investigations confirmed antifreeze in Leroy’s system, with incriminating evidence found at Church’s property, including a tainted Powerade bottle with her DNA.
Further damning evidence emerged, including videos of Leroy in distress filmed by Church before seeking help and a staged photo of Leroy on his deathbed with birthday gifts placed on him. Church was arrested and charged with Leroy’s murder, with prosecutors painting the love triangle as toxic and dysfunctional. The court heard that Church had deliberately used antifreeze as a murder weapon, concealing its taste in the Powerade consumed by Leroy.
In a chilling revelation, it was disclosed that Church had joked about harming Leroy previously and had made threats of poisoning him if he were to cheat. Church was eventually convicted of first-degree murder with premeditation and extreme cruelty, receiving a life sentence without parole. Leroy’s loved ones expressed their pain and disbelief at his tragic demise, emphasizing the betrayal and agony caused by Church’s actions.
Barbara, Leroy’s other love interest, lamented the unconventional nature of their relationship but condemned the horrific end Leroy faced. The impact of losing a loved one at the hands of another was poignantly expressed by Leroy’s sister, underscoring the profound grief and anguish inflicted by such a tragic betrayal.