A South Carolina man is now facing the possibility of spending the rest of his life in a federal prison after authorities discovered his wife's burned body in a makeshift grave back in 2020.
Lawrence Joseph Florentine, aged 56, has admitted to a range of serious charges, including interstate domestic violence leading to death, using a firearm to commit a violent crime resulting in death, obstructing justice, and setting fire to commit a felony.
These charges come over three years after his wife, Nicole Zahnd Florentine, was found with her body badly burned and a .22 caliber bullet wound to her head as the cause of her tragic demise.
According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the couple's relationship had been tumultuous since their marriage in 2018, with recorded evidence and family observations supporting this claim. Nicole had made multiple calls to the authorities in York County since December 2019, alleging physical abuse by Lawrence and threats of violence. Lawrence had even been arrested twice on domestic violence charges, with one of those cases partially dismissed at Nicole's request.
On May 23, 2020, their home in Rock Hill was destroyed by a fire, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office. Text messages and photographs showed that Lawrence intentionally set fire to Nicole's belongings and the property itself. He was also charged with arson in state court regarding this incident.
Between June 2 and June 11 of that year, the couple traveled together by car and were last seen in Piedmont, South Carolina, according to an FBI investigation. Nicole's grandmother reported her as missing when she lost contact with her during the trip.
On June 13, 2020, a groundskeeper at Hill Cemetery in Fredonia, Kentucky, found a body later identified as Nicole's. Near the burial site, a gas can was recovered, but there were no personal belongings, identification, or a cell phone.
Witnesses reported seeing a car identical to Lawrence's, and a hardware store clerk identified a transaction for a shovel and gas can matching his description. Surveillance footage showed Lawrence filling the can at a nearby station.
Though no firearm was found, police discovered a lighter and .22 caliber cartridges in the car, along with Nicole's blood on the exterior.
Sometime after June 11, 2020, Lawrence fled to Denver, Colorado, and surrendered to the Denver Police on June 23, 2020. He now faces a potential life sentence, eight years of supervision, and a fine of up to $250,000 in restitution.
U.S. Attorney Adair Boroughs emphasized the importance of addressing domestic violence, stating, "Domestic violence affects our community deeply and enduringly." She expressed the commitment of federal prosecutors to work with local law enforcement and prosecutors to ensure the safety and justice of victims, in honor of Nicole's memory.
An obituary for Nicole from 2020 mentioned that she left behind four children. It described her infectious smile, her laughter, and her habit of leaving her loved ones with a treasure trove of letters, journals, and doodles to remember her by.
The sentencing date for Lawrence Florentine has not yet been announced, and it will be presided over by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Coggins.
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