Latest news with #LeFleur
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Yahoo
Man sentenced to life for murdering wife in Southern New Mexico desert
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A 57-year-old Louisiana man, described by prosecutors as a career criminal, was found guilty of killing his wife and tampering with evidence by an Otero County jury on Friday, May 23, the 12th Judicial District Attorney's Office (Alamogordo) announced on Sunday night. Shaun Castain LeFleur, 57, of Louisiana, was found guilty in his wife Nancy LeFleur's murder and was sentenced to life in prison, the DA's Office said. He will be nearly 90 years old before he is eligible for parole, the DA's Office said. LeFleur and his wife came to Otero County in late 2023. Shaun LeFleur was living on the run and forcing his wife to come along with him, the DA's Office said. After beating his wife in late 2023, LeFleur was convicted in the Otero County Magistrate Court of battery against a household member, the DA's Office said. At the time of the conviction, LeFleur had already murdered his wife and buried her in a shallow grave in the desert just north of Oliver Lee State Park, outside of Alamogordo. About two months after Nancy LeFleur's murder, a citizen came forward and told authorities that Shaun LeFleur had murdered his wife and buried her in the desert, the DA's Office said. The New Mexico State Police were called in and led the investigation. Shortly after, Nancy LeFleur's body was discovered buried in a shallow grave approximately 1 mile north of Oliver Lee State Park. The site of the burial was just mere feet from a spot where LeFleur had previously been seen camped at, the DA's Office said. The ensuing investigation revealed that Shaun LeFleur and his wife Nancy had been camped near the dispersed camping area outside of the state park south of Alamogordo. From there, Shaun LeFleur moved his camp north into the desert area well away from other people. Shaun LeFleur then began searching the Internet for local places where he could purchase a gun and potential places in Mexico where he could flee to, according to the DA's Office. Then, late one night in February 2024, he forced his wife out of their tent and onto her knees. LeFleur then murdered her in an execution-style shooting, the DA's Office said. He wrapped her body in a tarp and buried her before fleeing to Texas, the DA's Office said. A month later, LeFleur returned to the scene of the murder and set up camp in an effort to discourage people from stumbling upon the body. The investigation spanned multiple states and multiple search warrants were executed. In April of 2024, LeFleur was arrested by the New Mexico State Police while parked alongside the Sunspot highway just outside of Cloudcroft. The case was investigated by the New Mexico State Police and prosecuted by District Attorney Ryan Suggs along with Chief Deputy District Attorney Michael Tighe and Assistant District Attorney Taylor Weary. Suggs said after the trial: 'This was an extremely tough case to piece together. I'm extremely proud of my team of prosecutors and staff who worked tirelessly alongside me for the duration of this case. I'm thankful that we were able to bring LeFleur to justice and give the family the closure that they deserved.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Alabama Department of Environmental Management's Mobile office renamed after retiring director
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG) — The Alabama Department of Environmental Management is renaming its Mobile office after retiring director Lance LeFleur. Passport Fair coming to Mobile (one day only) LeFleur has been the ADEM director since 2010. His tenure began early due to the explosion on April 20, 2010, at the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling platform, which killed 11 people, injured 17 others, and caused the spill of over 200 million gallons of oil. 'I was in Mobile preparing to turn over my business to others when the governor's office called and said, 'You're starting tomorrow,'' LeFleur said. 'I went to a meeting at the nearby Coast Guard headquarters, and I didn't know anyone in the room — not the Coast Guard officials, not any of the mayors, or any of the other state and federal officials involved. I didn't even know anyone at ADEM at the time.' LeFleur returned to Mobile Wednesday for his final visit as ADEM director. Gov. Ivey sent a letter to the Alabama Environmental Management Commission in February to authorize the commission to name the Mobile office after LeFleur. He was also credited for being instrumental in getting the Mobile office built. 'While your task of identifying Director LeFleur's successor is of utmost importance to the state, I believe it is fitting and warranted to properly acknowledge, celebrate, and memorialize Lance's achievements and service to Alabama,' Gov. Ivey wrote. A ceremony on Wednesday unveiled the new sign reading LeFleur's name. Several state and local officials spoke at the event, including AEMC Chair A. Frank McFadden, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Commissioner Chris Blankenship, Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson, RESTORE Council Executive Director Mary Walker, and ADEM Field Operations Division Head Scott Hughes. Other guests included AEMC members, area mayors, Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council members, representatives for U.S. Senator Katie Britt, and environmental groups and businesses. 'I want to thank the great partners who contributed to making this building possible — first and foremost the Governor's Office,' LeFleur said. 'Also, the Alabama Gulf Coast Recovery Council, the federal RESTORE Council, ADCNR, the City of Mobile, and many others. 'Volleyball Jesus' sculpture removed in Gulf Shores, search begins for new home 'While it is a tremendous honor that the building bears my name, ideally, it should carry the names of all the many people who made it possible,' he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
