Judy Church, 67, was found guilty of first-degree murder of her boyfriend (Image: -)
A woman has been convicted of murdering her long-term partner after poisoning his birthday drink and filming his final moments as his body shut down.
Judy Church, 67, was found guilty of first-degree murder with premeditation and extreme cruelty over the death of Leroy Fowler, 55, in Massachusetts, USA. The couple had been together for around a decade after meeting when Mr Fowler moved into Church’s home following the breakdown of his marriage. Church, a former teacher, supported him financially and often bought him expensive gifts, including a motorcycle.
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Girlfriend poisoned boyfriend with antifreeze (Image: -)
However, their relationship was strained by Mr Fowler’s long running involvement with another woman, Barbara Randall, whom he had reconnected with online. The affair continued on and off for years, causing tension and resentment.
In messages to Ms Randall, Church accused Mr Fowler of deceit, writing: “He’s playing us both with lies upon lies… it’s time we both toss him out.”
On 11 November 2022, Mr Fowler’s 55th birthday, Church prepared him a fruit punch flavoured drink. Hours later, she called emergency services claiming he had suddenly become unwell.
“My boyfriend must have ingested something and he can’t stand. His nose is bleeding and he told me to call the ambulance,” she said during the 911 call.
Paramedics found Mr Fowler in severe distress, confused and in pain. He was taken to hospital, where doctors placed him on life support as his organs began to fail. Medical staff quickly suspected antifreeze poisoning, later confirmed by tests.
Despite efforts to save him, the damage was irreversible and Mr Fowler died two days later.
Investigators soon focused on Church after family members raised concerns about the relationship. A post mortem confirmed the presence of antifreeze in Mr Fowler’s body, a toxic substance containing ethylene glycol.
Police later discovered a drink bottle containing traces of antifreeze with Church’s DNA on it, along with an empty de icing container at the property.
The case took a disturbing turn when officers examined Church’s phone. They found 13 videos showing Mr Fowler in agony before emergency services were called. In the footage, he can be seen writhing and pleading for help while Church mocked him, at one point asking: “Are you having fun?”
Prosecutors said Church waited at least 30 minutes before calling for help while filming his suffering.
Further evidence included diary entries expressing anger towards Mr Fowler and a handmade doll linked to his other relationship.
During the trial, the prosecution described the situation as a “toxic and dysfunctional” love triangle and argued that Church deliberately used antifreeze as a murder weapon. The defence suggested Mr Fowler’s condition could have been linked to medication, but the jury rejected that argument.
Church was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
In a statement, Ms Randall said: “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.”
Mr Fowler’s sister 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.”
