A Cook County jury on Saturday found Lawrence Boyle guilty of murdering 30-year-old Sierra Jamison, the young mother who was discovered strangled in the garage of a South Side rental home in September 2023. Jurors convicted Boyle on two counts of first-degree murder, bringing Jamison’s family a long-awaited criminal verdict after more than two years of investigation and court proceedings.
Verdict and next steps
A jury found Boyle guilty on two counts of first-degree murder, according to ABC7 Chicago. The outlet reports that Boyle is due in court for pre-sentencing motions on January 5, 2026, after which a sentencing date will be set.
What happened in 2023
Jamison, a phlebotomist who had just turned 30, was found unresponsive by her mother in the 7800 block of South Indiana Avenue in the Greater Grand Crossing neighborhood, according to CBS Chicago. She was pronounced dead at the scene, and the Cook County medical examiner ruled her death a homicide by strangulation. Jamison left behind a 6-year-old son.
Prosecutors' account and Boyle's record
Prosecutors told jurors that Boyle was waiting in the garage when Jamison returned, then strangled her until she was unresponsive, took her cell phone, and covered her body with a tarp, as detailed by Law&Crime. Reporting and court documents also show that Boyle has a criminal history that includes a 1993 child-abuse conviction in North Carolina and a 2011 domestic-violence arrest that was later dropped.
Hoodline coverage of the case
Hoodline's first report on Boyle's charging in September 2023 tracked the family's grief and the initial court proceedings. That earlier reporting documented the location and timeline now referenced in court documents and local media accounts.
Legal next steps
Boyle will be sentenced after pre-sentencing motions. Under Illinois law, a conviction for first-degree murder carries a determinate term of 20 to 60 years, with extended terms of 60 to 100 years or natural life in limited circumstances, per the Illinois General Assembly. Defense and prosecution are expected to file arguments at the January hearing that could influence whether the court imposes an extended term.
Family reaction
Jamison's relatives, who held a balloon release and vigil after her death, said the verdict brings a measure of relief even as they continue to grieve. "We are honoring her legacy," her aunt told reporters, and family members have urged anyone with information to come forward, as CBS Chicago reported.
