Rochelle Laudenslager on Lifetime
By floor9 on Mar 7, 2007 in Central PA
Mark my words - Rochelle Laudenslager will have her own Lifetime Original Movie. Her story has thus far played out like the worst a-very-special-after-school-special made-for-TV movie ever conceived. $50 says that in a few more months, we’ll hear about how none of this is really her fault, since it was a “crime of passion”. Or because she was rejected by “the system”. Or how society “just doesn’t understand”. Or how she “fell through the cracks”. If Lifetime does indeed get ahold of this, it will no doubt turn out to be a drunken husband’s fault. Maybe someone will even turn this into a gay rights issue.
A bullet from Laudenslager’s gun was found lodged in the spine of Elaine Pierson. Short of someone breaking into Laudenslager’s home, stealing her gun, driving to Pierson’s home, kidnapping her, shooting her, then dumping her body in the woods where Laudenslager just happened to be looking, the odds are very thoroughly stacked against her. Still, coincidences happen, and we live in a society where citizens are innocent until proven guilty.
Innocent people do not, however, brandish a kitchen knife, threaten police officers, and resist arrest.
UPDATE - Having done some research on PennLive, I see that the Patriot News already has called it a crime of passion. Why they’ve chosen to soften this violent act is beyond me, but I doubt it would be done if it were, say, a man beating a woman to death. The very notion that this act was anything less than cold-blooded killing is disgusting. And apparently, I’m not the only one outraged. Call this what it is: murder.
I think it will definitely be a Snapped episode.
I was shocked when the police called the search off so quickly and never brought in bloodhounds to gain a scent to see if Ms. Pierson was taken by foot or by car.
You are right — this was murder — committed with patience and premeditation. And it is unfortunate that the spin will be: When Lesbians Kill.
Andrea | Mar 17, 2007 | Reply
I am surprised more people have not called this one into the limelight. Nobody wants to touch this one for reasons I can not FATHOM. You are both right, this is murder. Stone cold murder. That this is being turned into some sympathy play is obscene.
Brian | Mar 17, 2007 | Reply
I completely agree that this horrific crime has all the makings & drama to be a LifeTime Movie. I have said this from the time they released information that they searched her “ex-lovers” home early on in the investigation.
Rochelle is one wacky broad and deserves a lifetime of punishment for the crime she committed.
Amy | Mar 21, 2007 | Reply
I don’t see the sympathy play, just ignorance on the side of tv and newspaper in Harrisburg.
A woman was kidnapped, in her pajamas in winter, driven by a wacko who has been committed twice to time in a State Hospital in PA. Remember she wacked her sister in the head while visiting her in Nevada. She accosted family while her sister SLEPT. And Betty Laudenslager downplayed that episode. That would make good drama wouldn’t it?
Now let’s watch momma and daughter climb up to the attic to hide the murder weapon. Who washed it off?
Rochelle had time to research and purchase the “antique” bullets. How did she have the fortitude to be with Elaine’s friends?
I also want to know why the police stopped the search and did not use dogs to search for her Saturday or Sunday. I’d be worried if I lived, or had relatives and friends living in that area if searches are called off so quickly.
Liz | Mar 23, 2007 | Reply
NOW HERE IS MS. LAUDENSLAGER, SO PROUD OF HER HERITAGE SHE FOUND OUT ALL THAT SHE COULD ON LINE ABOUT HER ANCESTORS. IRONIC IT IS THAT SHE WILL BE REMEMBERED FOR THIS PREMEDIDATED HORRIBLE MURDER OF SUCH A LOVELY WOMAN AS ELAINE PIERSON. I AM COUNTING ON THIS KILLER TO GET THE MAXIMUM SENTENCE AND THAT STILL WILL NOT TAKE AWAY MY PAIN THAT OF ELAINE’S FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
MARIAN THALHEIMER | Mar 24, 2007 | Reply
Marian,
You are so correct. Her family and friends have lost a dear sole who didn’t deserve what RL did to her. Rochelle should certainly suffer greatly. I still cannot fathom the reason for killing her. Was what RL did to her sister in Nevada cause concern for Elaine? Did RL threaten Elaine after the breakup?
Liz | Mar 25, 2007 | Reply
Just curious Liz…When was this?
Who has been committed twice to time in a State Hospital in PA. Was it recent or in years past?
I also find it hard to believe that this story wasn’t given more time on the news. It’s like something you would watch on Nancy Grace! Anyone going to the hearing on April 5th?
LeeAnn | Mar 27, 2007 | Reply
LeeAnn:
Elaine was kidnapped in her pajamas December 27th from her home by Rochelle with an antique gun. She was driven 3 miles (I believe) where she was viciously murdered.
Rochelle was committed twice to the State Hospital, once after wacking her sister in the head with a frying pan (while she was sleeping).
I understand a sister committed suicide. Does anyone know if it was the injured sister, or another troubled daughter of Betty’s?
Elaine should be memorialized as a caring thoughtful woman, who didn’t deserve this.
I still cannot understand the evil in Rochelle for doing this for someone she formally loved.
My heart still aches for her family and friends.
I drive past the farm Elaine grew up on and I get so sad and angry.
Liz | Mar 28, 2007 | Reply
I heard it was a brother that committed suicide not a sister. I also did not hear that she was committed in PA I thought that occurred in Nevada.
LeeAnn | Mar 30, 2007 | Reply
I truly feel that Rochelle should get the death penalty. Why should her life be life in prison where she would get 3 meals a day and all the women she wants. What about Elaine and her family-they don’t have a choice, do they? I say, let’s have a hanging in Perry County.
peg | Apr 6, 2007 | Reply
It was reported a motive was that RL was jealous. If she wanted to rekindle the relationship with Elaine, why not kill the girlfriend?
After three months, I am still perplexed as to the “why do something so drastic” and to read now that they claim Elaine was tortured and there was no sign of struggle.
Liz | Apr 6, 2007 | Reply
I grew up on a small farm right outside of the “blink-of-an-eye-and-you-miss-it” town of Gratz. Though I didn’t know Rochelle personally (she was a year behind me), we attended school together. As a young teen, I sold greeting cards door-to-door to earn a little cash. Only once did her mother answer the door - the inside of their house was very dark and spooky in the middle of daylight. That scene haunted my mind for a few years because nobody else lived like that. Doesn’t excuse her behavior, but it wasn’t a home that I’d choose for my family to grow up in.
Teresa | Feb 18, 2008 | Reply