A South Carolina man faces life in federal prison after his wife’s burned body was discovered in a “makeshift” grave in 2020, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Lawrence Joseph Florentine, 56, pleaded guilty to domestic violence resulting in death, use of a firearm during a felony with intent to cause death, obstruction of justice and use of a firearm during the commission of a felony more than three years after his wife Nicole’s body Zahnd Florentine was found “charred” with a “.22 caliber bullet wound to the head” that was determined to be the cause of her death, the statement said.
The U.S. attorney’s office noted that the two had a “volatile” relationship after their 2018 wedding, citing tapes and family observations. Since December 2019, authorities in York County have responded to multiple calls from Nicole, who accused Lawrence of physically abusing her and “threatening to kill, burn and bury her.” Lawrence has previously been arrested twice on domestic violence charges, one of which was at least partially dismissed at Nicole’s request.
Then, on May 23, 2020, the couple’s home in Rock Hill was “destroyed by fire,” according to a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office.
“Text messages and photos sent by Florentine to Nicole during the fire show that he intentionally burned her belongings and intentionally set fire to the property,” the statement said. “Florentine has been charged with arson in state court in connection with the fire.”
Between June 2 and 11 of that year, the two traveled together in a car and were last known to be in Piedmont, South Carolina, according to an FBI investigation. Nicole’s grandmother reportedly filed a missing person’s report when she stopped hearing from her during the trip.
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General image of police warning tape.
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The body, later identified as Nicole’s, was found by a custodian at Hill Cemetery in Fredonia, Kentucky, on June 13, 2020. “A gas canister was recovered from behind a tree near the burial site,” the statement said. “No documents, cell phone or other personal belongings were found.”
After eyewitnesses reported seeing a car identical to Florentine’s, and a hardware store clerk identified the shovel and gas canister transaction to someone matching Florentine’s description, surveillance footage later shows Florentine filling up a can at a nearby gas station, according to the office.
“No firearm was recovered; however, police found a lighter and .22 caliber cartridges in the center console and located Nicole’s blood on the rear exterior of Florentine’s abandoned car,” the statement said. “Sometime after June 11, 2020, Florentine fled Kentucky and arrived in Denver, Colorado. On June 23, 2020, he turned himself in to Denver police.”
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Florentine, who faces up to life in prison, also faces eight years of post-sentence supervision and a fine of up to $250,000 in restitution.
“Domestic violence affects our community in profound and lasting ways,” U.S. Attorney Adair Boroughs wrote in a statement.
“And we who serve as federal prosecutors for South Carolina have a duty to use all the tools at our disposal—and leverage our partnerships with local law enforcement and prosecutors—to ensure victims have a viable path to safety and justice. Let’s honor Nicole’s memory as we work to address and prevent future domestic violence.”
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Nicole’s 2020 obituary stated that she was survived by four children. “She had the most infectious, beautiful smile and laugh that could make almost anyone laugh with her,” it said, adding “She wrote everything down and left her children, sisters, parents, grandparents, boxes of letters, diaries and drawings to remember her to remember.”
A sentencing date has not yet been announced, and Florentine will be sentenced by US District Judge Donald C. Coggins.
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Source: HIS Education