A 67-year-old woman from Salisbury, Massachusetts, has been found guilty of murdering her boyfriend by poisoning him with antifreeze. Judy Church was convicted of first-degree murder after a jury determined she had deliberately contaminated Leroy Fowler’s sports drink, leading to his death in November 2022.
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The prosecution presented a compelling case during the trial, indicating that Church had harboured feelings of anger towards Fowler, who was involved with another woman at the time of their relationship. Church called 911 on the night of November 11, 2022, claiming that Fowler, aged 55, “must have ingested something.” However, this call came only after he begged her to get help while displaying alarming symptoms that indicated he was seriously unwell.
Fowler was rushed to the hospital, where medical professionals discovered he had ingested antifreeze, a toxic substance also known as ethylene glycol. Tragically, he succumbed to the effects of the poison two days later on November 13, having suffered considerable damage to his internal organs.
During the court proceedings, prosecutor AJ Camelio highlighted the severity of the crime, implying that the act had been both premeditated and particularly cruel. He revealed that Church was the sole person with access to Fowler in the critical time frame before his symptoms arose. The toxic substance was mixed into his Powerade drink, with Camelio stating, “That’s the murder weapon.”
Evidence gathered by law enforcement proved integral to the trial. Detectives discovered a Powerade bottle with residue at the couple’s home which, following examination by the Massachusetts Crime Lab, tested positive for antifreeze and contained Church’s DNA. This fact underscored her culpability in the poisoning.
Adding another layer to the case, the jury was shown a disturbing video recorded by Church herself. In the footage, she appears to mock Fowler while he is in visible pain, asking him, “Are you having fun?” This revelation further illustrated the troubling dynamics of their relationship, which prosecutors described as “toxic” and “dysfunctional.”
Fowler’s troubled relationship with Church was compounded by the involvement of another woman, which had reportedly contributed to the tension between the two. During the trial, it came to light that Church had created a voodoo doll of the other woman, further emphasising her jealousy and strain she felt over the situation.
Further testimony from Fowler’s sister indicated that Church had previously expressed feelings of suspicion towards Fowler, allegedly claiming he suggested she might have tampered with food he had consumed. Such statements added to the picture of a volatile relationship fraught with mistrust and resentment.
As the trial concluded with the guilty verdict, Church is scheduled to face sentencing on April 2. The seriousness of the crime and the premeditated nature of the poisoning has drawn significant attention, raising questions about domestic violence and relationships marked by toxicity.
In the wake of the verdict, Church’s legal representatives have not released any public comments, and the case continues to highlight the importance of examining the signs of abusive relationships. As the community processes this tragic event, it serves as a sobering reminder of the hidden dangers that can exist within personal relationships.