Her neighbor gave a live TV interview about her disappearance. Minutes later, a reporter told him on-air that a body part had been found, and his reaction gave him away.
Days From a New Life
Lauren Giddings, 27, had just graduated from Mercer University School of Law in Macon, Georgia, and was preparing for the bar exam -- the final step toward the career in criminal law she''d spent seven years working toward. Her boyfriend had secretly planned to propose after her graduation.
The Disappearance
When friends and family hadn''t heard from Lauren for several days, her friend Ashley Morehouse let herself into Lauren''s apartment on June 30, 2011, using a spare key. Nothing appeared disturbed -- her keys, purse, car, and expensive law textbooks were all still there. Lauren herself was gone.
A Neighbor Under Suspicion
Police interviewed residents of Lauren''s apartment complex, including Stephen McDaniel, a fellow Mercer law student who had lived next door to her since their first year of school. On the morning of June 30, before Lauren''s remains had been found, McDaniel gave a live interview to a local news station about her disappearance. During the interview, a reporter told him on-air that a torso had been discovered in the search -- and his visible reaction immediately made him a primary suspect.
The Investigation
Following further questioning, McDaniel admitted to having access to residents'' apartments through a master key he had obtained and to having broken into other units in the building previously. Investigators recovered Lauren''s remains from a dumpster behind the apartment complex. McDaniel was arrested and charged with her murder.
Conviction
McDaniel pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison.
FAQ
Who killed Lauren Giddings?
Stephen McDaniel, her next-door neighbor and fellow Mercer law student, who was convicted and sentenced to life in prison.
How was McDaniel identified as a suspect?
His reaction during a live television interview, when told a body part had been found, drew immediate investigative attention to him.
Where were Lauren''s remains found?
In a dumpster behind the apartment complex where she and McDaniel both lived.