This story is coming out of our good ol’ home state of North Carolina. The case has actually made national news because of its unusual circumstances. 28 year old Matthew Phelps, an aspiring Pastor, is spending some time behind bars because he’s been arrested for a serious crime. Phelps is being charged with stabbing his wife while she slept. The Kentucky native says that he remembers nothing about the horrible event, but he believes that he may have killed his beloved Lauren….that was the victim’s name.
Matthew claims that the cold medicine that he had taken the night before caused him to attack his newlywed and murder her in cold blood. Here’s more from our friends over at WRAL News, channel 5.
“RALEIGH, N.C. — The death of a Raleigh Sunday school teacher and the apparent 911 confession of her husband was drawing national attention Monday because of his unusual defense.
“I had a dream, and then I turn on the lights and she’s dead on the floor,” Matthew Phelps told a 911 dispatcher. “I have blood all over me, and there’s a bloody knife on the bed, and I think I did it.”
Lauren Ashley-Nicole Phelps, 29, was laid to rest Monday at Hope Lutheran Church in Wake Forest, where the couple were members. Her sister, Beth Agner, is a youth minister at the church.
Members of the media were shooed away from the service, and friends of Lauren Phelps told WRAL News that the family had asked them not to talk about her.
A printed obituary gives Lauren Phelps’ maiden name – Lauren Ashley Nicole Hugelmaier – and makes no mention of her husband.
Messages on social media show a young woman who was much loved by a community of friends around the country – friends who are stunned and unable to understand her sudden death.
The Phelpses had been married less than a year when Matthew Phelps called 911 in the wee hours of Friday morning to report that his wife had been stabbed.
He can be heard sobbing on the call.
“I took more medicine than I should have,” he said. “I took Coricidin cough and cold, because I know it can make you feel good. A lot of times I can’t sleep at night and I took some.”
Bayer, maker of Coricidin, issued this statement on Monday:
“Bayer extends our deepest sympathies to this family. Patient safety is our top priority, and we continually monitor adverse events regarding all of our products. There is no evidence to suggest that Coricidin is associated with violent behavior.”
The couple was alone in the house at the time of the attack.
“She didn’t deserve this,” Matthew Phelps sobbed. “Why?”
Lauren Phelps was an auditor at Quintiles, according to her obituary, and a graduate of Appalachian State University.
According to his Facebook page, Matthew Phelps “studied missions and evangelism at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College” and works for Dunlap Lawn Service.
He is scheduled for a first court appearance Tuesday at 2 p.m.”
This case is so unbelievable, right? A man calls 911 reporting that he has murdered his wife because of the side effects of cold medicine? What do you guys think? Does “Pastor” Phelps have a chance of being acquitted from this murder? It looks like his best character witness may be his deceased wife. She posted such beautiful thoughts about her hubby and claimed that he made her happy. Check out this Valentine’s Day Instagram message here.
“Happy Valentine’s Day to the best husband there could ever be!!! I’m so blessed to have you forever and always ❤ God did good and knew exactly what he was doing. Our paths were perfectly planned for us to meet at the perfect time after learning the perfect lessons! I couldn’t have done it better myself,” she wrote. “I love your fun times, silly times, and all the in between times! Can’t wait to see our future times 🏖🎡🌮🎯🏠👶🏼 💋 xo -your wife.”
I legit have soooo many pictures I want to share right now when talking Valentine’s Day / husband ❤❤ this will have to do 😍 Happy Valentine’s Day to the best husband there could ever be!!! I’m so blessed to have you forever and always ❤ God did good and knew exactly what he was doing. Our paths were perfectly planned for us to meet at the perfect time after learning the perfect lessons! I couldn’t have done it better myself 😉 I love your fun times, silly times, and all the in between times! Can’t wait to see our future times 🏖🎡🌮🎯🏠👶🏼 💋 xo -your wife#wifelife #happyvalentinesday
“6 months???? ALREADY… but it feels like just yesterday we had the best day of our lives celebrating and dancing with everyone we love!” Lauren wrote on Instagram in May, along with a photo from their wedding. “Although it was an amazing day I love our days spent together the last 6 months and wouldn’t take it back for anything in the world!”
Why would he flip the script and all of a sudden kill her one night?
Anyway, we are sending our deepest condolences to the families of the victim AND the suspect. They are in our deepest thoughts and prayers. We’ll keep you guys updated as these strange series of events become clearer to us.
Rest in peace Lauren.
