Crime Junkie
Crime Junkie
"But either way, he said that police didn't seem to care about the car and they never followed up with him. And he says he remembers calling them back later himself and they just said, quote, nothing further." — Britt
"The pathologist that we consulted said that the reports that he's familiar with usually does include that stuff. And, you know, this is one of, like, the biggest surprises to me as I've learned about how homicide investigations work." — Ashley Flowers
"So here's the thing though, Laura didn't drive off right away. I don't know why, but she went back into the house. And what happened in the hour or so that followed is different depending on which sweetman is narrating." — Ashley Flowers
This episode of Crime Junkie delves into the perplexing death of Laura Sweetman, a pediatric neurologist, whose demise in December 2013 remains officially undetermined. The narrative begins by establishing Laura's troubled marriage to Dave Sweetman, marked by his alleged infidelity, financial improprieties, and a history of emotional and verbal abuse. Laura's discovery of Dave's affair and a previously unknown child led to her seeking a protective order and planning to leave him, culminating in a domestic disturbance call where Laura accused Dave of holding her against her will.
The investigation into Laura's death is fraught with unanswered questions and apparent oversights. The autopsy report, performed by Dr. Mark Shelley, noted physical trauma and foaming at the mouth, but could not definitively conclude the cause of death, citing conflicting evidence regarding drowning and a questionable mention of a prior heart attack. Concerns are raised about the thoroughness of the toxicology screening, which returned clean results despite a prescription stimulant being found at the scene. Furthermore, the report details the questionable professional histories of key personnel involved in Laura's autopsy and toxicology analysis, including Dr. Shelley's past disciplinary action for mishandling human remains and Norman Wade's conviction for theft of evidence.
The podcast highlights numerous instances where the initial police investigation appears to have been insufficient, including the lack of follow-up on a suspicious vehicle sighting near Laura's home, incomplete interviews with individuals Laura was dating at the time of her death, and a potential lack of due diligence regarding Dave Sweetman's alibi. The episode strongly suggests that investigative pressure, particularly from media attention in similar cases, has been instrumental in prompting further action or record disclosure, urging listeners to raise awareness for Laura Sweetman's case.