Lacey Fletcher: A Life Forgotten and a Death Remembered

Lacey Ellen Fletcher, a 36-year-old woman from Slaughter, Louisiana, lived a life that was far from ordinary. Suffering from severe autism and possibly a condition known as locked-in syndrome, Lacey’s life was largely confined to a couch in her parents’ home.

For an estimated 12 years, she remained in the same position, her body slowly fusing with the couch due to prolonged immobility.

Her parents, Sheila and Clay Fletcher, both 64, were her primary caregivers.

Name	Lacey Ellen Fletcher
Age at Death	36
Date of Death	January 3, 2022
Place of Birth	Slaughter, Louisiana
Parents	Sheila and Clay Fletcher
Medical Conditions	Severe Autism, Possible Locked-In Syndrome
Cause of Death	Severe Medical Neglect leading to Chronic Malnutrition, Acute Starvation, Immobility, Acute Ulcer Formation, Osteomyelitis, and Sepsis

A Life Unseen

Lacey Fletcher’s life was one of unimaginable suffering. Her body was found partially naked, sitting upright, and partly submerged in a hole in the couch in her parents’ home.

The 36-year-old autistic woman had not moved from the sofa in her parents’ home for 12 years. The room was filled with a “latrine-like” smell, and Lacey’s body was covered in maggots. Her emaciated body weighed less than 100 pounds.

The Shocking Discovery

The horrific picture of Lacey’s condition was one of dozens shown to a newly sworn-in grand jury in a sealed session. The photos revealed the unspeakable extent of Lacey’s suffering, who vanished from public view about 15 years ago.

Lacey, who was autistic, was almost buried up to her shoulders in a couch crater and smothered in her own waste.

The gravity of the case is further emphasized by the words of Parish Coroner Dr. Ewell Dewitt Bickham III, who expressed his distress, saying, ‘I couldn’t eat for a week, and I cried for a week,‘ upon discovering the conditions Lacey had been living in.

Such a reaction from a medical professional highlights the shocking nature of the case.

Also read: Who Is Alison Botha? The Story You Won’t Believe But Need to Hear

The Legal Proceedings

Following the discovery of Lacey’s body, her parents were charged with second-degree murder. The evidence presented to the grand jury included graphic images of the living conditions and Lacey’s physical state, which were so revolting that medical personnel were on standby when the images were shown.

The Fletchers were released on a $300,000 bond each.

In a shocking twist, District Judge Kathryn Jones dropped the charges of murder against Lacey’s parents, Clay and Sheila Fletcher, citing a technicality in the wording of the indictment.

The decision came ahead of the trial that was due to take place in June 2023.

Despite the dropped charges, District Attorney Sam D’Aquilla plans to bring the case back before a different grand jury on June 19.

He hopes to have the parents arrested on new charges and aims to bring the case to trial by the end of the year.

A Life Lost

The coroner, Dr. Ewell Bickham, stated that the cause of death stemmed from severe medical neglect, which led to chronic malnutrition, acute starvation, immobility, acute ulcer formation, osteomyelitis (bone infection), and finally, sepsis.

Lacey Fletcher, a woman who lived her life in the shadows, was finally brought into the light, but at a devastating cost.

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