Daughter with locked-in syndrome found dead fused with sofa as parents could face charges

29 April 2022, 13:40 | Updated: 29 April 2022, 14:28

Lacey Ellen Fletcher pictured as a teenager
Lacey Ellen Fletcher pictured as a teenager. Picture: Handout

By Asher McShane

The parents of a US woman whose body was found decomposing on a sofa in her home could face charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter.

Lacey Ellen Fletcher, 36, was found dead at home in Slaughter, Louisiana, in what a coroner described as a scene like a “horror movie”.

Her parents, Shelia, 64 and Clay Fletcher, 65, will face a grand jury on Monday accused of causing her death after neglecting her care for years.

Lacey Ellen was found partially clothed, sitting upright but sunk down into the sofa, which was soaked in human waste.

Read more: Katie Kenyon: Man charged with mother-of-two's murder learns trial date

Her decomposing body was found on the sofa in her home
Her decomposing body was found on the sofa in her home. Picture: East Feliciana Parish coroner's office

She was covered in insect bites and surrounded by insects and rodent droppings, a coroner told DailyMail.com.

East Feliciana Parish Coroner Dr. Ewell Dewitt Bickham III said: “The scene was sickening. I've seen some horrible things in my life but nothing like this.

“It's unconscionable, something you make horror movies about.”

Lacey suffered from locked-in syndrome, a rare neurological disorder characterised by complete paralysis of voluntary muscles, except for those that control the eyes.

Police arrived at the home in the suburb north of Baton Rouge on January 3 to find the scene after her parents called 911 because Lacey wasn't breathing, prosecutors said.

The parents were supposed to be the girl's care providers, but the coroner said she had not been to a doctor in 20 years. 

Lacey’s death has been ruled a homicide and the “cause behind her death stems from at least a decade of medical neglect”, Dr Bickham said.

Her parents have not been arrested or charged with any crimes so far. The district attorney is aims to bring second-degree murder charges on them with help of a grand jury.

The hearing is expected to take place next week, on 2 May.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Gayanne Potter told LBC she feels "absolutely sick".

Leading voiceover artist ‘violated’ by ScotRail AI announcements using her voice without 'permission'

The popular club's licence has been suspended following allegations that a woman was raped by a security guard in the vicinity of the venue

Heaven security guard accused of raping teenager was 'not permitted to work in UK' and 'used false ID to get job'

RFK Jr said that Covid-19 shots would be removed from the recommendations for certain groups.

Robert F Kennedy Jr drops Covid vaccines for healthy children and pregnant women - slamming lack of 'clinical data'

Rebecca Turner, 36, was found dead in Bangkok with her partner, Sam Melnick, in 2024.

Mother of British woman found dead in Bangkok hotel after 'unwitting hit of drugs' alleges Thai police ‘cover-up’

Arabella Stanton, Dominic McLaughlin and Alastair Stout will star as Hermione, Harry and Ron in the new Harry Potter TV series.

Harry Potter and the new cast revealed: First pic of child stars ahead of TV series

Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk (posing with former footballer Alan Hansen and the Premier League trophy) sent a message of support to victims of the crash

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk ‘praying for speedy recovery’ for those hurt in parade crash

(Clockwise from top left) Indigo Rumbelow, Leanorah Ward, Daniel Knorr and Margaret Reid

Four Just Stop Oil activists jailed over plot to disrupt Manchester Airport

The runaway couple went off-grid in early 2023 in an alleged attempt to stop their newborn baby being removed from their care.

Runaway aristocrat Constance Marten’s partner 'attacked' officers on post-natal ward while trying to 'escape'

Footage shows the driver reverse into a fan, which leads two spectators to punch and kick the car whilst it moves back and forth

Driver ‘followed ambulance through roadblock’ before Liverpool crash as man, 53, arrested on suspicion of ‘drug driving’

Footage shows the driver reverse into a fan, which leads two spectators to punch and kick the car whilst it moves back and forth

Moment Liverpool horror begins to unfold after driver 'tailgated ambulance'

Dozens were left injured after the car drove into football fans who were celebrating Liverpool FC’s Premier League victory

King and Queen share 'deep shock' over Liverpool parade crash as William and Kate also tell of their sadness

Passengers on airlines in Turkey may receive a fine for standing up too early on the plane.

Holidaymakers to be fined $70 for standing up to get luggage while plane lands in airline crackdown

Louisa “Lulu” Palmisano died aged three.

Driver who snorted '20 lines of cocaine' before causing death of girl, 3, jailed for 12 years

d

Macron's united front after 'le shove': Couple walk arm-in-arm as he tried to pass off squabble on plane as 'playfighting'

Miriam Margolyes

Harry Potter star tells fans she 'doesn't have long left to live' after undergoing heart procedure

Female researcher observing E coli culture plate

Warning issued after outbreak of salmonella leaving five hospitalised and 20 ill