29-year-old Lauren Spors was charged with the murder of her mother, 64-year-old Carrie Zettel, in Milwaukee on Sunday. Prosecutors allege that Lauren used a four-pound rock in the attack and have charged her with first-degree intentional homicide, according to FOX 6.
An initial court appearance on Tuesday revealed a history of domestic issues at the Zettel residence. WISN 12 News reported that police were called to the home more than 40 times over the past five years for incidents including family trouble, abuse, and violations of a restraining order. This history of conflict is connected to the current murder charge.
Court records provide further insight into the family’s troubled history. A neighbor reportedly saw Lauren striking her mother with a rock, and investigators later found Carrie Zettel deceased under a blanket, with the bloody rock nearby. As per CBS 58 report, these events echo the 2018 death of Lauren’s father, Jeffrey, which Carrie Zettel suspected involved their daughter, although officials ruled it an accidental overdose.
This tragedy dates back seven years to the death of Jeffrey Spors. According to CBS 58, Carrie Zettel’s request for an autopsy to reflect injuries caused by their daughter was dismissed due to his known history of over-medication. The investigation report details previous assaults by Lauren Spors, who denied any involvement in her father's death, stating, "I haven't accepted my dad's death. My mom says I killed him, but I don't remember doing it." The case involves Spors' mental illness and multiple legal issues, leading to the current charges and a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation scheduled for the November hearing.
As the legal system addresses the case and sets bail at $100,000, community members and family friend Loretta Moyer have noted that Carrie Zettel expressed concerns shortly before her death about the possibility of harm from her daughter.
