Midweek Mini | Woman's Face Beaten Off by Her Ex | The Murder of Lauren Johansen

Love and Murder: Heartbreak to Homicide

In today's true crime story, we delve into the tragic and horrifying case of Lauren Johansen, who was brutally beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend, Bricen Rivers, after he was mistakenly released from jail. Lauren's father, Dr. Lance Johansen, discovered her mutilated body in the backseat of her car on July 3, 2024. This episode uncovers the disturbing events leading up to her murder, the systemic failures that allowed it to happen, and the heartbreaking aftermath.
Lauren, a bright and beautiful nursing student from Gulfport, Mississippi, had a tumultuous relationship with Bricen, a former high school football star with a history of arrests. Despite her attempts to move on, Bricen's obsessive behavior led to repeated stalking and violence. The situation escalated during a vacation to Nashville, Tennessee, where Bricen viciously attacked Lauren, resulting in his arrest for kidnapping and stalking.
Despite overwhelming evidence and warnings from Lauren's family, Judge Blackburn reduced Bricen's bond, allowing his release. Tragically, just nine days later, Lauren was found dead, her body wrapped in trash bags and a sheet. The case raises critical questions about the justice system's handling of domestic violence and the monitoring of released offenders.
Join us as we explore this devastating case, the failures that led to Lauren's death, and the ongoing fight for justice.
Cases mentioned in this episode:
An Important Conversation About the Hidden Reality of Male Domestic Abuse – The Case of Alex Skeel
https://murderandlove.com/an-important-conversation-about-the-hidden-reality-of-male-domestic-abuse-the-case-of-alex-skeel/
Sources:
https://nypost.com/2024/07/11/us-news/nursing-student-lauren-johansen-found-beaten-to-death-after-dads-chilling-warning-to-judge/
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13685449/mississippi-dad-daughter-destroyed-face-beating-ex-boyfriend-lauren-johansen.html?utm_source=pocket_shared
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/heartbroken-dad-speaks-out-after-daughter-on-track-to-become-nurse-is-allegedly-beaten-to-death-by-ex/ar-BB1qU9VI?ocid=BingNewsSerp
https://www.newschannel5.com/news/newschannel-5-investigates/blood-everywhere-how-a-nashville-suspects-bond-meant-a-gps-monitor-didnt-work
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/bricen-rivers-denied-bond-in-mississippi-victim-s-father-speaks-out/ar-BB1qOYYB?ocid=BingNewsSerp
https://www.courttv.com/news/hearing-ordered-after-man-released-on-bond-allegedly-murders-girlfriend/
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