“He didn’t deserve what happened to him”

Michael Shaver’s family responded to the news Friday night, moments after his ex-wife was found guilty of second-degree murder in his death.

“I’m thrilled,” said Stacey Turner, Michael Shaver’s sister.

“We were very happy. We had been waiting for this for a long time,” she said.

Laurie Shaver was on trial for the murder of Michael, who was last seen in 2015 and whose skeletal remains were found buried under a fire pit and a concrete slab in 2018 in the backyard of his home, authorities said. He was shot at least once in the back of the head, the report said.

A six-person jury convicted her of second-degree murder about four hours after deliberations began. She was found not guilty of accessory after the fact. Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 25.

Michael Shaver’s family read a brief statement:

“It has been an extremely difficult journey. There has not been a day that has gone by that we have not thought of Michael and there has not been a day that has gone by that we have not stopped searching for Michael,” the statement read.

On behalf of the entire Shaver family, we are very grateful to be here today to acknowledge the guilty verdict against Laurie Shaver.

We are so grateful to be here today to acknowledge the guilty verdict against Laurie Shaver. While this will not bring back our beloved Michael, our family can finally, after all these years, begin to move forward.

First, our family would like to thank the Prosecutor’s Office and its teams, Lake County Law Enforcement and Investigators. The Shaver family will be forever grateful for the time, effort and hard work they put into Michael’s case.

Michael was a great son, brother, father, uncle and friend. He loved his life, his job, his family, his friends, the plane he worked on. The list could go on. He did not deserve what happened to him. His friends, family and now the public know what a great man he was. He will live on in our hearts forever. Michael will never be forgotten. We can rest in peace knowing his story is known to all.