Suvechha Sarkar
Paul Steven Jandreau had suddenly gone missing in June 2010 from his home in Moyock, North Carolina. It prompted an investigation, which revealed that the 50-year-old was brutally killed in his own house. The crime left the community shocked and his loved ones completely grief-stricken. The episode titled ‘Blood, Sweat, and Tears’ of Investigation Discovery’s ‘Killer Bods’ dives deeper into the investigation that quickly brought the killer to light. Moreover, the episode features interviews with the officials who worked diligently on the case and one of his dearest friends.
Paul Jandreau’s Remains Were Found Three Days After He Disappeared
Born on December 5, 1959, in Hartford County, Connecticut, Paul Steven Jandreau brought immense joy to the lives of his parents, Clement and Alvina Maria Dubey. He grew up playing with his brothers, Michael and Albert Doiron, and his sisters, Linda and Lisa. Paul was someone who consistently prioritized his fitness and always helped others. He always had a passion for serving his country one day. It paved the way for him to complete his education and join the US Navy. There, he diligently served for 31 years, during which he held the rank of Boatswain’s Mate Chief Petty Officer in the Persian Gulf. Eventually, Paul retired as a Command Master Chief, the highest-ranking enlisted position in the Navy. He continued his career as a civilian by joining BAE Systems as a Safety Officer.
According to reports, in his adulthood, Paul got married twice, with his second union being in 1988. Over the years, he welcomed his two daughters, Stephanie and Christina, into the world. Sadly, his second marriage reportedly headed for divorce in the summer of 2002. During that time, around June 2002, Paul crossed paths with Lateisha Askew at his gym. She was a professional bodybuilder, and he reportedly began accompanying her to the competitions and acting as a training partner. Within a few months, Paul asked Lateisha to move in with him. After his divorce was finalized in May 2003, Paul and Lateisha tied the knot the following month. On June 30, 2010, Paul was scheduled to give a presentation at work, but when he failed to arrive by around 7:45 am, his coworkers reported him missing.
Upon visiting Paul’s home, officials found his cars in the driveway and received no response from the house. They contacted Lateisha, who was unable to give any information about his whereabouts. Despite following multiple leads, authorities were unable to find Paul. Shortly after midnight on July 3, 2010, they discovered Paul’s remains inside a large tote bin hidden in the garage of his home in Moyock, North Carolina. His remains were reportedly wrapped in plastic and duct tape. They discovered parts of the floor carpet cut out and multiple patched-up bullet holes in the master bedroom walls. Several cleaning supplies were also reportedly found inside the home. The autopsy determined his cause of death to be multiple gunshot wounds from a .45-caliber handgun and severe blunt force trauma to the head.
Officials Arrested the Killer Based on Conflicting Accounts and Overwhelming Evidence
After Paul was reported missing, Lateisha reportedly informed the officials that they had an open relationship. According to reports, she claimed that he was often picked up by the girls he dated, and it was normal for him to set off on his own. Since detectives didn’t find Paul’s sleep apnea machine at his home, Lateisha claimed that he might’ve gone for the night. Official records state that Lateisha showed them Paul’s dating profile. Detectives then tracked his cell phone location, which led them to Elizabeth City, North Carolina. Although they discovered his mobile from there, he was nowhere to be found. As per investigative reports, they received a call on July 1, 2010, from one of Paul’s neighbors, reporting that an unknown man and Lateisha were removing furniture from Paul’s home and loading it into a vehicle.
When officials arrived, Lateisha claimed that she wanted to get new furniture. According to court records, after she was asked to take them back inside the house, they noticed that she had covered up all the windows. They further learned that the man was her brother. Reports state that investigators soon discovered that Lateisha and Paul’s marriage was on a rocky path. He had reportedly filed for a divorce and wanted her out of the house by the end of the month. They reportedly recovered a police report just two weeks before Paul’s disappearance that someone had keyed his car inside the garage. It made the detectives deduce that it was someone who had access to his home. Court records indicate that on July 2, Lateisha was supposed to meet with officials. However, she left a note claiming she was in Chesapeake, Virginia, when she was actually at home.
In the early hours of July 3, 2010, authorities discovered Paul’s remains in his garage and found Lateisha hiding in a closet. During her questioning, she insisted that she knew nothing. According to court records, she then claimed that she had told some men that Paul was allegedly abusing her and gave them the house code, leading to his death. Officials reportedly discovered a handgun in her car, which the ballistic experts confirmed to be the murder weapon. They also uncovered CCTV footage at Lowe’s, capturing Lateisha buying a large tote bin. She was arrested on July 3 and charged with first-degree murder and larceny of a firearm. Police records indicate that during her following interview, she claimed that on June 30, 2010, Paul attacked her with a rifle. She reportedly confessed that she then shot him, allegedly in self-defense.
Lateisha Jandreau is Incarcerated at a North Carolina Prison Facility Today
The jury trial of Lateisha began on September 24, 2012. During the trial, the prosecution claimed that Paul’s murder was premeditated. They pointed out that he was shot multiple times, including at close range, and then his remains were wrapped and hidden in the garage. According to court records, the prosecution presented evidence that the handgun used in the murder belonged to another person, and Lateisha had possession of it without permission. They further produced witnesses before the court, who testified that Paul had attempted to end the marriage before his disappearance. On the other hand, the defense claimed that Paul got violent with her, and Lateisha shot him, allegedly out of fear for her life. They insisted that the murder was allegedly not premeditated.
The jury ultimately convicted Lateisha of first-degree murder and larceny of a firearm on September 28, 2012. She was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for murder and a consecutive 6-to-8-month term for larceny. Following that, she appealed her convictions in the Appellate Court. However, on May 6, 2014, the North Carolina Court of Appeals affirmed her judgment, rejecting arguments about jury instructions and evidentiary rulings. Lateisha then filed a petition for discretionary review in the North Carolina Supreme Court, but the court denied it on March 5, 2015. Currently, she is serving her sentence at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Read More: Janine Ackerman and Marios Hortis Murders: How Did Abeku Wilson Die?
