The ‘Cough Medicine Murder’- The Case of Matthew Phelps
I’M BACK! I’m sorry to keep you all waiting for a new blog post all week! I’ve decided to write one more this month, and then release a New Year’s case on January 1, 2021 at midnight.
This case I’ve decided to release tonight is one that I’ve heard about several times, and it’s one of those cases that has stuck in my mind. There have been many murder cases that have either blamed something like this such as cough medicine, which I think is ridiculous. I believe this many killed his wife and then tried to get off by blaming it on cough medicine.
Background
Lauren
Lauren and Matthew
Matthew Phelps was 28 years old, and had been married to his wife Lauren Hugelmaier Phelps, 29, for less than a year when she was murdered.
Lauren worked for a company called Scentsy that sold candles and was Sunday school teacher, and Matthew worked at a lawn care business and graduated from Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in 2011, and was studying to become a preacher.
The Murder
On September 1, 2017, a man who later identified as Matthew Phelps called 911.
He told the police that he woke up with “blood all over him,” and said he thought he killed his wife. He said he had taken a cough medicine called Coricidin. He said he took the medicine to help him sleep at night.
The Discovery and Investigation
The Raleigh police arrived at Matthew and Lauren’s home, and Lauren was discovered in the fetal position in the couple’s bedroom. She had been stabbed 123 times.
When Lauren’s autopsy was completed, they discovered that she had over 24 stab wounds and injuries to her head and neck, 13 stab wounds to her stomach area and 16 cuts and one stab wound to her right arm.
Matthew continued to say that he had taken the cough medicine, and didn’t mean to kill his wife. An empty bottle of the cough medicine was found in the home.
However, once Lauren’s family found out about her death, they thought otherwise. Lauren’s sister seemed to think that Matthew had a dark side, and that he was obsessed with death and serial killers. Lauren’s sister, Beth stated:
“He seemed to love Lauren in spite of any flaws she could have and would do anything to make her happy. What we didn’t know was that he was playing a game. A very deadly game,” “he was luring all of us into a trap by taking advantage of our kindness and generosity. We never once thought Lauren was in danger.”
There were also claims that Matthew had told his friends that he wondered what it would be like to kill someone, and that he was obsessed with the movie, American Psycho.
Trial and Conviction
Despite Matthew claiming that he killed Lauren because of the medicine, the trial said otherwise. They determined that Matthew was a violent person and Lauren was killed because she wanted to leave him.
Matthew Phelps eventually pleaded guilty to first degree murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Matthew’s mug shot
Coricidin Cough Medicine
According to Wikipedia, this cough medicine is used to treat coughs and help people who have high blood pressure. It can have side effects such as diarrhea and hallucinations.
However, at Matthew’s trial, it was said that Matthew did not take enough of the medicine to reach such toxic levels where it would result in killing someone.
Matthew at trial
Other
Lauren’s funeral was at the same church where she and Matthew had gotten married.
Lauren’s family, friends and supporters all wore ribbons and buttons at Matthew’s trial that said #LaurensLight. The court room was packed with people supporting Lauren and her legacy.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Matthew Phelps is a piece of shit. I definitely think he killed Lauren because she discovered his dark side and wanted to leave him. A supposed man of God stabbed the person he supposedly loved 123 TIMES, it makes me sick.
I really hate these cases that blame anything other than an evil person who took someone’s life. I believe he took a high dose of medicine, but I don’t believe it is what caused him to kill.
I’d love to hear your thoughts about this case! Do you think Matthew killed Lauren because of the medicine, or was it an act of pure evil?
Sources
https://people.com/crime/cold-medicine-killer-pastor-pleads-guilty-murdering-wife/
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/murder-suspect-who-cited-cough-meds-in-911-call-appears-in-court/
https://abcnews.go.com/US/husband-blamed-cold-medicine-pleads-guilty-killing-wife/story?id=58306879
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coricidin
