A woman has been sentenced to life in prison after fatally poisoning her boyfriend by contaminating his energy drink, and she reportedly made a chilling remark before contacting emergency services.
Leroy Fowler died in 2022 after Judy Church, 67, added a deadly substance to a drink he consumed.
On November 11, 2022, Church called for an ambulance and told dispatchers that Fowler ‘must have ingested something’ and ‘could not stand’.
The 55-year-old was taken to hospital, where medical staff determined he had ingested antifreeze, which caused severe internal damage.
He died two days later.
Prosecutor AJ Camelio said Church only placed the emergency call after Fowler asked her to, and alleged that she recorded him while he was suffering.
During that recording, Camelio said Church directed a disturbing comment at Fowler, asking: “Are you having fun?”
Investigators later reported finding a bottle of Powerade sports drink that contained traces of antifreeze and had Church’s DNA on it, which officials described as the ‘murder weapon’.
Antifreeze commonly contains ethylene glycol, an odourless, colourless chemical that is highly toxic when swallowed. Ingestion requires immediate medical attention.
Prosecutors said Church believed Fowler was having an affair, describing the relationship as a ‘toxic and dysfunctional relationship’.
According to Court TV, Fowler’s cousin told the court that Church had previously been heard saying that ‘if he ever cheats on me I will poison him’.
On Thursday (April 2), Church was sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole after being convicted of first-degree murder with premeditation and extreme atrocity and cruelty.
She was reportedly expressionless as the verdict was delivered in court.
A victim impact statement was also read on behalf of Barbara Randall, who was said to have been in a relationship with Fowler at the time he died.
“No one deserves to suffer like that. No one deserves to have their life ended in fear and pain at the hands of someone he thought he could trust,” Randall said.
Fowler’s sister, Tammy Carbone, added: “Losing a loved one is painful no matter what, but when it happens at the hands of someone else it brings a pain like you’ve never felt before.”
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact GrieveWell on (734) 975-0238, or email [email protected].