Brandon Scott Lavergne Sentenced To Life Without Parole For The Murders Of Mickey Shunick & Lisa Pate

1:32 AM, Jul 11, 2012
Written by
Claire Taylor

On July 18, a grand jury will be asked to decide whether there's probable cause to indict Brandon Scott Lavergne, 33, on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in connection with the disappearance of University of Louisiana at Lafayette student Mickey Shunick.

"A prompt presentation to the grand jury was expected," considering the magnitude of the case and the tremendous amount of publicity it has received, said Crowley lawyer Clay Lejeune, one of Lavergne's defense attorneys.

Lavergne was arrested Thursday in connection with the disappearance of Shunick, who was last seen in the early morning hours of May 19. Surveillance video captured her riding her bicycle on St. Landry Street heading toward St. Mary Boulevard in Lafayette about 1:45AM.

A white pickup truck passed that area shortly afterward and was captured on that same video. Police believe that truck belongs to and was driven by Lavergne.

Police say they also have placed Lavergne at the location where Shunick's bicycle was found May 26 in Whiskey Bay near Interstate 10. The bike had damage to the rear wheel consistent with having been hit by a vehicle, Police Chief Jim Craft said.

The case is set to go before a grand jury at 3 p.m. July 18 in 15th Judicial District Court in Lafayette, according to District Attorney Mike Harson.

Assistant District Attorney Keith Stutes is expected to handle the case, he said.

A first-degree murder conviction can result in the death penalty or life in prison. If the state intends to seek the death penalty, the district attorney's office is required to take the case to a grand jury to determine probable cause, Lejeune said.

"The grand jury will decide if there's sufficient information, through the police investigation, to warrant charging Mr. Lavergne with either kidnapping or capital murder," he said.

Grand jury hearings are closed to the public. In this case, Lejeune said, Lavergne may not even be in the parish courthouse. He has not been asked to appear before the grand jury.

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Possible grave sight found by Lavergne's home...

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Part of me is going "yay!" because the three possible graves turned up with nothing. The other part is sad bc... well, now what?

Exactly! Now What? It's a double-edged sword as the longer they go w/out finding her, the stress factor goes WAY up! However, the longer she is NOT found, the hope is there that she is still alive.

I feel so sorry for the Shunik's. Cannot even begin to imagine what they must be going through.

Last but not least, an Enormous WELCOME to you, Justan0therjess!

by Chelsea Hoffman

Body of Mickey Shunick Hidden, but Where?
July 12, 2012 02:21 PM EDT

The body of Mickey Shunick still hasn't been found, even after officials searched at least three suspicious dirt mounds that appeared to be grave sites. These mounds of dirt were located in a rice field in St. Landry Parish, near the property inhabited by suspect Brandon Lavergne. A farmer in the area had tipped off officials after spotting the suspicious mounds of dirt, which appeared to be graves. It's a bittersweet feeling to know that the remains of Michaela "Mickey" Shunick.

What hasn't been addressed by the media sources is whether or not investigators used sniffer dogs while searching these three suspicious mounds of earth. If so, did the dogs alert to any suspicious aromas? The reason to ask is because Lavergne may have had the woman's remains in this area at one point, only to relocate them as the pressure was heavy and he may have felt paranoid. If dogs were not used, perhaps police should consider sweeping through the area one more time with canines.

If Brandon Scott Lavergne did manage to relocate a body from this area (which is probably unlikely) where would he move it? There is just no telling what this man would have done with the remains of Mickey Shunick, but he isn't that bright. It doesn't take an intelligent man to hide a body well, but a stupid man makes mistakes. His first mistake was hitting her with his vehicle and then abducting her. Nevermind the fact that he was as stupid as reporting his truck missing afterward, burning it and then purchasing one of the same make and model. These actions indicate a panicked state by someone with less-than-impressive mental capabilities.

Someone of the apparent lack of intelligence that Brandon Lavergne possesses, would most likely hide the remains of a victim somewhere he felt comfortable, somewhere he'd either pass frequently or visit often. There are far gruesome theories as well that kind of go without saying, but what's important is that a few smart investigators use their nature-given equipment to piece together this puzzle. The time is ticking before this man goes to trial, and without a body it will be hard to land a capital murder conviction.

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He went to Texas. I would hope they have searched and continue to search San Jacinto County and surrounding areas, which is a tall order.

LAWTELL, LA (WAFB) -
The St. Landry Parish Sheriff's Office investigated three possible shallow graves not far from the home of Brandon Lavergne, but nothing was found.

Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said his detectives searched a rice field about two miles from Lavergne's home after receiving a tip from a farmer about three areas of disturbed ground in his field.
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Video at link

There is also the possibility that if there was a body to dump he could have disposed of it on his way offshore for work. My BIL works offshore and often travels to places like Venice, LA (known fondly as "the end of the world") often leaving to meet their flight at 2-3 am. Traveling down pretty much abandoned streets at that time of night. I'd agree that someone would hide the body in a place that they could more or less "keep an eye on it" but he was also working 14&14 (I think) and would be offshore two weeks at a time, which I would think would make him antsy and nervous while he was essentially out of touch with the public and couldn't keep tabs on his little secrets. There's just so many possibilities, I hope we get some answers soon.

Had never considered that possibility, and it's a good one! OMG! If that is the case, they w/probably never find her!

New search yields no body

Suspect drove to hospital on same day Shunick missing

ACADIANA BUREAU
July 12, 2012

The man arrested in the disappearance of Mickey Shunick drove himself to a Jefferson Parish hospital for treatment of stab wounds on the same day the University of Louisiana at Lafayette student vanished, an official said Thursday.

That news came on the same day other officials made a fruitless search for Shunick at three sites near the home of Brandon Scott Lavergne in St. Landry Parish.

Lavergne was booked last week in Lafayette Parish on counts of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in the disappearance of Shunick, who was last seen before 2 a.m. May 19 leaving a friend’s house in Lafayette.

On Thursday evening, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed Lavergne had filed a report May 19 alleging he was the victim of an aggravated assault.

Deputies took the report at Oschner Hospital on Jefferson Highway, said Col. John Fortunato, commander of the public information office.

KATC–TV reported Thursday that the incident report states Lavergne showed up at Oschner Hospital just after 11 p.m. May 19.

Lavergne, who had been stabbed in the chest, back, neck and hand, said he was attacked outside a gas station at 3 p.m. that day, the TV station reported.

Lavergne also claimed his wallet was stolen, the station reported.

The deputy writing the report indicated the more he questioned Lavergne about the attack, the less information he began to provide, the television station reported.

Medical staff told deputies that Lavergne was allowed to leave the hospital because his injuries were nonlife-threatening, the station said.

Lavergne told deputies he drove himself to the hospital and he had been in the area visiting a friend, indicating he would be returning home when he left the hospital, the television station reported.

“The task force, to my knowledge, is aware of the incident,” said Cpl. Paul Mouton, spokesman for Lafayette police. on Thursday.

Mouton said he could not provide further details.

Earlier Thursday, investigators responded to a rural area in St. Landry Parish near Lavergne’s home after a farmer had reported a possible grave site on the edge of woods near his fields off U.S. 190 between Opelousas and Eunice.

St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz said his office received a tip from the farmer Wednesday night.

During a Thursday morning search of the fields, investigators found two other sites that appeared to be possible graves, Guidroz said, adding that each mound was about 6 feet long and 3 feet wide.

A four-hour search of all three sites concluded about 10 a.m. and turned up nothing, Guidroz said Thursday morning.

“We are back to the drawing board,” he said.

Lafayette police have said Lavergne was initially developed as a suspect after investigators received a tip June 14 connecting him to a white Chevrolet Z71 truck seen on surveillance video traveling in the same direction as Shunick near downtown Lafayette.

Lavergne’s truck was reported stolen in Texas and later found burned on May 31, a few days after police released a video image of the vehicle, police have said.

Investigators also have information linking Lavergne to the area under the Interstate 10 Whiskey Bay Bridge where Shunick’s bicycle was found May 26, Police Chief Jim Craft said at a news conference last week.

A grand jury is set to meet Wednesday to consider first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping charges against Lavergne, 33, an offshore worker.

Lavergne is a registered sex offender who served eight years on an aggravated oral sexual battery conviction for tying up, blindfolding, then sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman in Evangeline Parish in 1999.

He was released from prison in 2008.

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Hmm. Mickey got a few licks in?

That don't sound like good news for Mickey. Because if she stabbed him (which I am glad she did) then she is probably not with us on earth anymore.

If he didn't go to the hospital until 11 pm that night, maybe he held her somewhere for a while first. With that many stab wounds, there had to be a lot of blood somewhere, that could be the evidence they found at his trailer.

The ER staff certainly should have been able to tell how old the stab wounds were.

Did Mickey Shunick try to fight off the man allegedly responsible for her abduction and presumed death? That appears to be the sentiments conveyed by media source and investigators on this case now that some shocking details have risen in the story. Brandon Scott Lavergne was reportedly treated for several cuts and stab wounds after the disappearance of the Louisiana anthropology student. Could his hospital visit have anything to do with the disappearance of this young woman?

Brandon Scott Lavergne was treated for stab wounds to his chest, neck, back and hand at an emergency room 140 miles away from the point where Michaela "Mickey" Shunick was last seen. This treatment was later in the day, hours after the woman vanished. When police interviewed him regarding these injuries and the disappearance of the young woman, he was reportedly uncooperative. This lack of cooperation says a lot, to be honest.

Mickey Shunick was a healthy-looking young woman who probably knew a thing or two about self defense. It's probably safe to say that these wounds may have been afflicted by the missing anthropology major whilst in a struggle for her life.

Knowing that he was treated 140 miles away either shows that he got the hell out of dodge to avoid a connection to her disappearance, or this is the area in which he disposed of her remains. Hopefully police intend on checking many areas between the point of alleged abduction and the hospital where he was treated.
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samgoodwin wrote:If he didn't go to the hospital until 11 pm that night, maybe he held her somewhere for a while first. With that many stab wounds, there had to be a lot of blood somewhere, that could be the evidence they found at his trailer.

The ER staff certainly should have been able to tell how old the stab wounds were.

True there had to be a lot of blood some where. Has anything been released as to exactly what was found in the trailer?

LAFAYETTE -- Brandon Scott Lavergne has been in Lafayette Parish Correctional Center since July 5, charged with kidnapping and murder and unwilling to speak with investigators about the May 19 disappearance of a 21-year-old Lafayette woman.

The July 5 arrest of the 33-year-old convicted sex offender was the biggest break in the case, although police still do not know what happened to Michaela "Mickey" Shunick.

"It's been very frustrating for us, because we don't know where she is, and he does," said Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft. "We were hoping that maybe he would at least have enough kindness or sympathy to give the parents and the family some relief or some closure about what happened to their little girl and where she is. I call it selfish on his part. We're not giving up. We promised to continue our efforts to bring her home, and that's what we're doing."

Rather than bringing the case to a conclusion, Craft said, Lavergne's arrest was a first step in an investigation that will continue for months as large amounts of potential evidence are processed in crime laboratories. This includes several items taken from Lavergne's mobile home in rural St. Landry Parish, near Swords, as well as Lavergne's white Chevy Z71 pickup that was found burned in Montgomery County, Texas.

Craft said he thinks investigators have enough evidence to persuade a grand jury to return an indictment against Lavergne. But he admits the department moved somewhat quickly to arrest Lavergne out of concerns that information might leak out about him being a suspect or the discovery of the burned truck in Texas.

"We were kind of pushed into moving on it, but we were confident in our information and had it reviewed by the district attorney's office to make sure that we were on solid ground in taking him into custody," Craft said. "We have some very solid information and evidence that should result in a true bill."

Craft said his hunch is that Shunick's body is in Louisiana. Police don't know where, but they are now focusing on various properties connected to Lavergne, as well as areas around his mobile home.

"We have some ideas," Craft said. "For a while, some of the information and results we were getting from sonar in Whiskey Bay [were] very promising, but then we developed information that it was unlikely she was there, and so now, we focus the search around areas in his home parish — property he owns or visits or frequented. That's about the closest we have to any idea of where she may be."

Craft said police are not sure whether Shunick was in Lavergne's mobile home, but crime scene investigators processed the scene "like she was." There was no body or human remains -- and no GPS device in the burned-out truck -- but Craft said there very likely was evidence related to the case.

"It was a good arson job. It was very good," he said. "And he replaced it with a truck exactly like the one he burned, and so that in itself raised our suspicions right away. He obviously burned that truck to destroy evidence, and it was done the same day or within days of us saying ... we can't find this white truck. As soon as that was put out, within a day or two, that truck was recovered in a field in Texas."

The lack of a body or any type of remains has caused some of Shunick's friends and family to hold out hope that she may still be found alive. When asked whether he thinks that could be the case, Craft became quiet.

"No," he said softly. "It would be a miracle. I would like nothing more, but all of the information we have and all of the evidence we have indicates to us that she is deceased. It's a combination of the information and evidence that we have that makes us think that."

Craft understands the public's frustration with the department releasing so few details about the case, and said that police have information and evidence that fills in a lot of blanks and answers a lot of lingering questions. But he is just as adamant that most of those details will not be released until the court proceedings get under way.

The secrecy is to make sure the case is as solid as possible when it does go before a grand jury, and then a full jury if it goes to trial. Craft said the goal is to avoid a scenario such as a potential witness giving a media interview and saying something that is even slightly different than what that person has told police. Such a situation creates an opening for a defense attorney, who could use that to raise questions of reasonable doubt, Craft said.

"The other thing is to maintain the integrity of the investigation," he said. "You want to maintain the integrity of the information you have so it can be presented and you know there was no alteration, no deviation from the original story or the information that we got. That's why we don't give out the whole thing."

Behind the scenes, Craft said, some detectives are working on finding Shunick, while others are concentrating on finalizing the case against Lavergne as its heads to a grand jury on Wednesday. Meanwhile, investigators from law enforcement agencies across Louisiana have continued to come to Lafayette to help out with brainstorming, sharing equipment or following up on leads.
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Shunick suspect's background one of contradictions, includes homicide probe, alleged rape

CHURCH POINT – Brandon Scott Lavergne’s police files are a contradiction, on the one hand portraying a violence-prone miscreant and on the other a model rehabilitating inmate.

And nothing in the public record shows he was in fact a suspect in the death of a woman more than a decade ago and has been accused at least once of rape.

Lafayette police believe Lavergne is more Edward Hyde than Henry Jekyll, charging him with the kidnapping and murder of Mickey Shunick, who disappeared on her bicycle on May 19.

Lavergne, who lives near here, was arrested on July 5. Authorities continue to search for evidence, including what they believe will be the remains of the ULL coed.

They rushed Thursday morning to the site of mounds that a farmer had tipped St. Landry Parish officials about. The site, near St. Ann’s Church at Swords, turned out to be that -- mounds -- not a newly dug grave.

Shunick’s bicycle was found at Whiskey Bay about 30 miles east of Lafayette several days after her disappearance. Police have not revealed the nature of evidence they say puts Lavergne at that area.

Based on the nature of their searching in and around Lavergne’s property, they appeared to believe Shunick was brought to this area before or after the bicycle was dumped.

The truck they believe Lavergne used on the night in question was reported by him as having been stolen. It was subsequently found burned north of Houston, Texas.

Authorities believe that was an attempt to get rid of incriminating evidence.

The truck being taken to Texas has given rise to a second suspect theory on the part of some observers, who say that accomplice would have given Lavergne a return ride to Swords, but police have said for the record that they believe Lavergne acted alone.

When he bought a replacement truck similar to the burned one has not been revealed.

Lavergne’s run-ins with the law are documented in public and non-public case files in four parish seats -- Evangeline, St. Landry, Acadia and Vernon.

He got a 10-year prison sentence in Evangeline after pleading guilty in a case involving his climbing into a young woman’s room in April 1999, threatening her and forcing her to have oral sex. He served seven years in prison and did three years of successful probation.

At the time, Lavergne was in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Polk. Vernon Parish sources requested anonymity say records indicate he was also accused of, but not arrested or charged with, rape during his time there.

While the Evangeline case was working its way through the system, Lavernge married a woman in Natchitoches in Sept. 1999. They divorced in October 2000, according to records in Opelosuas.

The wife alleged Lavergne at one time tried to smother her and another time hit her in the face and threw her down by the neck.

Also in 1999 the remains of a missing woman were found in an isolated part of Acadia Parish.

Normally reliable law enforcement sources say Lavergne was among persons of interest in that case. Authorities were never able to close the circle of evidence and charge anyone in what was considered by them a homicide.

Current Acadia Parish Sheriff’s Chief Investigator Keith Latiolais said that case remains open but unsolved and could not comment regarding any history of the investigation details.

Investigative files on open cases are not public record. Lavergne has never been arrested on any charges in Acadia Parish, according to the criminal court record.

All of the above is a contrast to the poster-boy behavior Lavergne demonstrated while serving his sentence in the 1999 case.

At his sentencing hearing on Feb. 25, 2000, Lavergne made a statement after sentencing:

“I apologize for any pain I caused my family and any other families in this process. I am truly sorry and hopefully one day can be forgiven.”

To which District Judge Preston Aucoin replied, “Well, I hope so. You are still young and there is still hope. Best of luck to you and I hope everything works out as well as it can under the circumstances.”

Lavergne completed the Sex Offender Treatment Program at C. Paul Phelps Correctional Center and became a tutor for others.

The program is a voluntary one based upon the teaching of 27 risk factors, understanding of how the factors played a role in commission of an offense and learning interventions which can help prevent a repeat offense.

According to Steven C. Brown, program director at Phelps at the time, Lavergne as a peer facilitator “assists inmates who are currently taking the program, by tutoring in course material, and helping students with their workbooks, handouts, videos, etc. He is prompt, reliable and maintains a positive attitude in his work.”

Brown noted in his January 2003 summary that only a small percentage of sex offenders in prison volunteer for the treatment program and an even smaller percentage actually complete it while in prison.

Lavergne’s background and whereabouts are now the subject of close scrutiny by law enforcement agencies and any number of newspaper and television outlets.

On Thursday, the same day as the mounds foray in Swords, KATC-TV reported on Lavergne’s visit to Oschner Hospital in New Orleans on the afternoon of May 19 (day Shunick vanished) for treatment of stab wounds he allegedly received from a stranger at a gasoline station.

He told Jefferson Parish deputies he couldn’t remember where the station was, that he got lost while enroute to visit a friend, and provided no reason for the attack. He also said his wallet, with driver’s license, had been stolen.

The deputy in his report wrote that Lavergne indicated his GPS wasn’t working, and he was driving around in an unknown area, so he stopped at a gas station to ask directions.

The report says that’s when a white male, with gold teeth, a neck tattoo, wearing a #24 Saints football jersey and a black hat covering most of his face, attacked him without warning. He was stabbed several times in the chest, back, neck, and hand.

Lavergne, only minimally cooperative with the deputy, based on the report’s notations, was treated and released

Lavergne’s initial booking mug shot shows what appears to be a recent wound at the base of the right side of his throat.

His case is scheduled to be presented later this month to a Lafayette Parish Grand Jury. Grand jury consideration is required in capital cases.

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July 17, 2012 02:40 AM EDT

by Chelsea Hoffman

The man accused of abducting Mickey Shunick, and murdering her, has requested a hearing to determine a decrease in his bond -- which may lead to an early release from jail prior to his trial. This is an outrage to those who are convinced that he's the man responsible for this unsolved disappearance. While search groups are still trying to locate the remains of the missing anthropology student, Brandon Scott Lavergne's lawyer is trying to get the monster freed.

Hopefully the courts shoot this idiotic request down on Wednesday afternoon when a grand jury will take up the case. It's a safe assumption to believe that this man is a high flight risk, and if his bond is reduced he'd probably leave the state in a heartbeat -- especially judging by his behavior prior to being arrested. A criminal defense attorney, sourced here, says that this request for a hearing is a tactic used to push the prosecution into "putting up or shutting up," so to speak. Well, that's a rather ballsy move for a guy who could be going down for a crime that is worthy of the death penalty. If he was smart, he'd mind his Ps and Qs and hope for a plea agreement to lower the sentence that he'll undoubtedly receive in the end.

Brandon Scott Lavergne allegedly hit Mickey Shunick with his car, purposely, before abducting her and murdering her. She still hasn't been found and her remains could be located anywhere in a several-hundred-mile radius. Around 13 hours after the disappearance of the young woman, he was treated for several superficial stab wounds in his neck, hands and chest. This indicates that there is a possibility that Mickey fought back violently before being killed.

The ferocity of the crime he is accused of committing makes it damn hard to consider that he should have a lowered bond. In fact, he shouldn't be eligible for bond at all. He should be made to stay right where he is until his trial.

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What is her source because I just googled Mickey and no where else does it say this monster is asking for a bond reduction.

Wrap, I think it's just the words in the beginning of her post 'The man accused of abducting Mickey Shunick, and murdering her, has requested a hearing to determine a decrease in his bond -- which may lead to an early release from jail prior to his trial.' JMO.

OK. Thanks.

In all reality, I cannot think of one criminal who doesn't request a bond reduction so to make this into a news article that he could get out is a tad bit of sensationalism. MOO.

Mickey Shunick may not have been the only victim of Brandon Scott Lavergne. At least that's being suggested by some of the latest updates in the case of the missing anthropology student. The disturbing details behind the search of the man's home in St. Landry Parish reveal, at the least, a pattern of disturbing behavior surrounding an obsession with women. To put it lightly, this man is probably responsible for the disappearances of more than just Michaela "Mickey" Shunick.

An "undisclosed number" of women's ID cards were discovered during the search of Brandon Scott Lavergne's home after he was arrested. Officials are not revealing any of the identities of the women indicated by the picture identification cards, nor are they clarifying on what agencies were contacted during this investigation. How many missing women are there in Louisiana? What other states did this man travel to during his time between arrests as a registered sex offender?

As the driver of a white Chevy pickup, could it at all be possible that he's responsible for the disappearance of Lauren Spierer? Was her ID card ever found after her disappearance?

The fact that he saved an "undisclosed amount" of picture ID cards, indicates that he was keeping trophies, which is typical behavior of a serial killer. It's well believed that he abducted and murdered Mickey Shunick. Was her ID card among those found?

It's safe to speculate that the search for Mickey's remains may also be the search for more remains, as it's likely that this man has many victims. It wouldn't be at all surprising.

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July 17, 2012

LAFAYETTE — Brandon Scott Lavergne will appear before a 15th Judicial District judge July 27 at 9 a.m. for a preliminary examination and bond reduction in connection with his arrest in the May 19 disappearance of Michaela “Mickey” Shunick of Lafayette.

Judge Herman C. Clause signed the order Tuesday afternoon.

Lavergne, 33, of the Lawtell area in St. Landry Parish, is being held without bail at the Lafayette Parish Correctional Center on counts of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in the University of Louisiana at Lafayette student’s disappearance.

Lavergne’s attorney, Burleigh G. Doga, initially filed the motion Monday afternoon at the Lafayette Parish Courthouse.

Prosecutor Keith Stutes filed an answer to the motion Tuesday, arguing that a grand jury will take up Lavernge’s case on Wednesday, which will essentially serve the same purpose as a preliminary examination.

“Either proceeding provides an inquiry into the legality of defendant’s detention and thereby serves the primary objection of the law,” Stutes wrote, citing existing case law.

The state’s motion says the state is not required to present the same case in different forums at the same time and a delay in the preliminary examination until the grand jury has acted would not be prejudicial to the defendant.

Stutes also noted that District Judge Marilyn Castle has already determined probable cause to support Lavergne’s arrest since she signed off on the issuance of his arrest warrants.

“A delay in the setting of a preliminary examination and reduction of bond is not prejudicial, but rather would be in the proper discretion of the court,” Stutes wrote.

District Attorney Mike Harson said in an email Monday that a preliminary examination or the request for one generally is vacated upon the issuing of a grand jury indictment, “since the indictment generally satisfies the question of probable cause.”

On Tuesday, Harson wrote in an email that Lavergne will not be invited to the grand jury proceeding.

“It’s not unusual, particularly in a first degree murder charge, that the suspect will not be invited to the grand jury and he does not have a right to attend,” Harson wrote.

The 15th Judicial District Public Defender Office has declined to comment on the case.

“We appreciate the public interest in this case and share the concerns of others that in this particular case justice is best served in the court of law, not in the court of public opinion. That is the policy of the Public Defender Office,” District Defender Paul Marx wrote in a memo last week.

Marx said the Public Defender Office and assigned counsel will not comment on evidence, facts or pleadings filed in these types of cases “in the interest of justice.”

Bill Goode, a criminal defense attorney not associated with the case, said a request for a preliminary examination is essentially a way for the defense to put a “full court press on the DA’s office to put up or shut up.

“If you have a case, indict, otherwise we’re going to have a preliminary hearing to find out what evidence you have,” Goode said.

An indictment could also help the District Attorney’s Office should Lavergne come up before a judge seeking a bond reduction, Goode said.

“Without the indictment it puts the defense in a better position to argue that the bond should be reduced because there is no indictment,” Goode said.

Shunick, an animal lover and avid cyclist, was last seen shortly before 2 a.m. leaving a friend’s home on Ryan Street near downtown on a black Schwinn bicycle on her way to her parent’s Governor Miro home about five miles away.

Authorities arrested Lavergne July 5.

Lafayette police have said Lavergne was initially developed as a suspect after investigators received a tip June 14 connecting him to a white Chevrolet Z71 truck seen on surveillance video traveling in the same direction as Shunick near downtown Lafayette.

Lavergne’s truck was reported stolen in Texas and later found burned on May 31, a few days after police released a video image of the vehicle, police have said.

Investigators also have information linking Lavergne to the area under the Interstate 10 Whiskey Bay Bridge where Shunick’s bicycle was found May 26, Police Chief Jim Craft has said.

Last week, a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office report said Lavergne checked himself into a hospital there for treatment of stab wounds hours after Shunick’s disappearance. Lavergne told a deputy that he had been robbed and attacked with a knife while at an unknown gas station in an unknown location in the parish, the report said.

Lavergne is a registered sex offender who was released from prison in 2008 after he served eight years on an aggravated oral sexual battery conviction for tying up, blindfolding and then sexually assaulting an 18-year-old woman in Evangeline Parish in 1999.

In a related development, Texas Equusearch, a nonprofit mounted search-and-rescue team, has returned to Louisiana to assist Lafayette police as they continue to search for Shunick, said Margaret Bearb, coordinator for the volunteer search headquarters.

Bearb said Texas Equusearch returned to the area last week.

The Associated Press quoted Tim Miller, director of the Houston-based group, as saying that Equusearch and police only want trained professionals involved in the search, not local volunteers, to reduce the risk of compromising important evidence. So far, however, no evidence has been retrieved, Miller said.

Police spokesman Cpl. Paul Mouton did not respond to an email or a phone call to his cellphone late Monday evening.

For the latest on the volunteer front, visit the group’s Facebook page at Find Mickey Shunick Now.
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Lavergne linked to other crimes against women?
Written by Leslie Turk
Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The Independent has learned that law enforcement officials in jurisdictions outside of Lafayette Parish are exploring possible links between Brandon Scott Lavergne and unsolved crimes against women. Lavergne, 33, was arrested July 5 on charges of aggravated kidnapping and first-degree murder in the case of missing 21-year-old UL Lafayette student Mickey Shunick. A grand jury hears the case Wednesday.

When Lafayette police arrested Lavergne, they searched his home in the Swords area of rural St. Landry Parish. Among items taken was an undisclosed number of women’s IDs, according to sources with information of the ongoing investigation.

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An "undisclosed number" of women's ID cards were discovered during the search of Brandon Scott Lavergne's home after he was arrested. Officials are not revealing any of the identities of the women indicated by the picture identification cards, nor are they clarifying on what agencies were contacted during this investigation. How many missing women are there in Louisiana? What other states did this man travel to during his time between arrests as a registered sex offender?

Would love to know the source of Gather's info but I don't doubt it. This may open the door to many missing women.

On Sunday The Independent learned and later confirmed with sources close to the investigation that Lavergne also went to the emergency room of Opelousas General, which is nearer his home in the Swords area of St. Landry Parish. Our sources say doctors at the hospital performed surgery on his finger, and note that at the time Lavergne also was suffering from an extensive breakout of poison ivy. It’s unclear if he went to the Opelousas hospital immediately after returning from New Orleans and whether he was treated on a single visit. It is worth noting that, depending on a person's sensitivity, poison ivy breakouts can begin to appear within a few hours of contact with the plant.

Read article at:
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Lavergne was indicted today on 2 counts of murder. there was another victim we never knew about, Lisa Pate. Story here:

A grand jury has indicted Brandon Scott Lavergne for the aggravated kidnapping and first degree murder of 22-year-old Mickey Shunick. Shunick was last seen riding her bike in Lafayette in the early morning hours of May 19. Her body has not been found.

Lavergne was also indicted on first degree murder charge for the death of 34 year old Lisa Pate. Pate was last seen in Lafayette in June of 1999, and according to today's indictment, is believed to have been killed on or around July 3, 1999. Her remains were found in Church Point, LA, in late September of that year.

Police say Lavergne is originally from Church Point, just north of Lafayette. Prosecutors say they will ask for the death penalty in both cases.

Lavergne is scheduled to be in court next Friday, July 27, 2012.

video at link...
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Posted: Jul 18, 2012 6:20 PM by Tonya LaCoste
Updated: Jul 18, 2012 9:18 PM
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In addition to being indicted for the murder of Mickey Shunick, a grand jury indicted Brandon Lavergne for Lisa Pate's murder in 1999. Pate, of Youngsville, went missing in June 1999, and her body was discovered three months later in September under three large boards in a grassy field northwest of Church Point in Acadia Parish. Anthropologists at LSU used dental records to make positively identify Pate. Pate had three young children.

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This is good news!

The grand jury decision on Brandon Lavergne was bittersweet for the Shunick family and volunteers. There was shock and tears at volunteer headquarters as the murder indictments came down for Mickey Shunick and Lisa Pate.

Mickey's father, Tom Shunick, said he was not surprised but sees hope dwindling that they will find Mickey alive.

"Definitely shocked. All of our faces dropped and we had a sigh like everyone else did around Lafayette. To know that it was a double-murder indictment kind of froze everybody," said volunteer organizer Margaret Bearb.

While most were shocked, Tom said he knew there could be more victims. Still, a murder indictment means he's almost positive they won't find Mickey alive.

"Not a hundred percent, but it sure doesn't look very good does it? I mean this guy has murdered and buried a body before," said Tom. "It certainly looks like this is his M.O."

However, closure for Tom and his family remains out of reach. They hope the latest charge will help Mickey's case.

"Well we've been waiting a little over two months to get closure on this and it still isn't closed, they haven't found the body," said Tom. "Hopefully now, if he's being charged with something else, hopefully he'll come clean and tell people where the body is."

As for the family of Lisa Pate, Tom and others said they now have someone else to sit next to in the courtroom when it all goes to trial.

"I can imagine, I know what they went through, it's been 12 years or so for them, maybe 14," he said.

Bring Mickey Home -- it's been the motto since the day Mickey disappeared. Bearb said it remains their mission even now.

"For us, the people my age who remember the Lisa Pate case, whew, it's a shocker and I feel so happy for that family because they get to face that closure. But I feel so sad for our family in Lafayette because we haven't gotten the closure," said Bearb.
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Video at link that I can't seem to embed.

It's a great video, too, w/lots of info.

WOW, can you imagine they actually indicted him on a murder from 1999? How many more women has he killed?

I bet there's more, this is one sick creep.

The past 24 hours have been a whirlwind for Lisa Pate's family. Relatives say they didn't think the person indicted in the Mickey Shunick case would be connected to Pate's murder. Shocked and relieved were some of the words Pate's family uses to describe Brandon Lavergne's indictment.
They didn't talk on camera, but Gertie Martie, the grandmother of Pate's children, describes Pate as a caring and loving mother, who would do anything for her children.
The day Lisa went missing is fresh in her mind. Pate didn't show up for one of her children's birthday parties. Gertie knew something must have happened to Lisa. Much like how Mickey Shunick's family grew suspicious when Mickey didn't show up at her brother's graduation. Even though 13 years have passed, Gertie has never forgotten what happened and now she's reliving a painful time.
Pate's brother Mike says Wednesday's revelation was hell. The family didn't know Pate's case was being heard and found out about the indictment while watching the news. He says he wished someone would have called to warn them. District attorney Mike Harson says, there was no time.

"The investigators from Crowley were brought in late in game, they might have not had to time to contact the family, " Harson said.

Lisa's oldest son Bryant declined an interview, but released this statement to KATC:"We are glad he is finally getting charged for this. (We) waited 13 years for this and if they would (have) of gotten him then, he wouldn't have been able to do what he (has) done today. We send our thoughts and prayers out to the Shunick family and thank everyone for their condolences and prayers."
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Brandon Scott Lavergne was just indicted on two counts of first degree murder. One count was for Mickey Shunick. The other was for Lisa Pate of Youngsville, Louisiana, who went missing in June of 1999. She was the mother of three children. Her body was discovered in Acadia Parish in September of 1999 under three large boards in a grassy field northwest of Church Point. Lavergne is from Church Point. LSU anthropologists used dental records to make positively identify Lisa Pate.
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Brandon Scott Lavergne is accused of murdering 22 year old Mickey Shunick and a Lafayette woman who disappeared in July of 1999. The skeletal remains of 35 year old Lisa Pate were discovered in October of 1999 in the Church Point area.

Acadia Parish Sheriff Ken Goss was in office at the time and told Eyewitness News they were unable to tell from a preliminary examination of the remains how Pate was killed, but sheriff Goss says it was obvious from the boards that had been placed over the body it was foul play.

TV-10 spoke with members of Pate's family. They told us they wanted the community to know that Lisa's two sons are happy justice will be served. But they wish it would have been done years ago because maybe Mickey would still be here.

They also say they want the community to know she was one heck of a mother who loved her children with all her heart.

Lavergne has been indicted on two first degree murder charges.
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Additional details are emerging today about Lisa Ann Pate, the Lafayette Parish woman whose 1999 death has been linked to Brandon Scott Lavergne, 33, of rural St. Landry Parish.

A Lafayette grand jury on Wednesday indicted Lavergne and formally charged him with the first-degree murder of Pate and UL co-ed Michaela “Mickey” Shunick, who disappeared May 19 while bike riding in Lafayette.

Pate, 34, was a native of New Iberia and the mother of three when she disappeared in June 1999. Her skeletal remains were discovered in September 1999, according to reports in The Daily Advertiser at the time.
A couple was exploring property behind their newly rented house on La. 358 between Church Point and Eunice when they “spotted three boards laid side-by-side and what looked like a bone at the far end,” the 1999 newspaper article states.

At first they believed the bones belonged to an animal. But when they lifted the boards, they realized the remains were human.

By Oct. 1, 1999, officials identified the remains as Pate.

Her brother, Michael Pate of New Iberia, told The Daily Advertiser in late September of 1999 that he believed “drug abuse and the lifestyle that goes with it” killed her.

Pate’s family said she had a history of drug use and underwent treatment twice, in Lafayette and Lake Charles.

In November 1998, she was released from jail in Lafayette where she had served time for a drug related charge, the 1999 Daily Advertiser stated.

Her death was treated as a homicide, but remained an unsolved case.

The Lafayette grand jury surprised many in Lafayette Wednesday when it indicted Lavergne for Pate’s death.
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FORMER ACADIA PARISH SHERIFF SPEAKS ABOUT PATE MURDER

Posted: Friday, 20 July 2012 9:28AM
Chris Miller Reporting

Family members of Mickey Shunick, the UL-Lafayette student missing and presumed dead, are still anxious to find out just what happened to her. Mickey Shunick's sister has resigned herself to the fact that probably the only person who knows is the suspect indicted for her sister's murder.

Charlene Shunick says she doesn't like it that the only person who could tell them what happened may be the person authorities say murdered her sister. But even if it means allowing Brandon Lavergne to cut a deal, she says she must know.

"As much as I hate to say it, I guess we're kind of dependent on Brandon speaking out for us and getting the courage to let us know what happened," Shunick said.

Any such deal would have to come from the district attorney's office, and so far, prosecutors have not said anything about that being on the table, but Charlene Shunick said it may be the only way to get a definitive conclusion.

"As much as people might think that this kind of indictment gives us some sort of closure, you know, starting to mourn her and prepare for her death and everything, until we see her body we're never going to 100 percent believe that she could be dead," she said. Between here sister disappearing two months ago and a convicted sex offender now indicted for first degree murder in the case, Charlene Shunick added, "it's kind of solidifying the fact that she might not come home, or at least not come home alive."

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You cannot blame them for this. I think any of us would feel the same way.

Wonder if Lisa Pate's ID was one of the ones found in his house...Also, maybe DNA linked him to her murder? But I guess his DNA was already in the system from his rape conviction, so it looks like that would have already led them to him before now.

I also wonder how many more ID's were found and are we going to hear of more victims of this monster? I hadn't thought of DNA yet Lisette but you're right, his DNA had to have already been in the system. But, LE would keep anything really quiet, they didn't even notify Lisa Pate's family before announcing he was indicted for her murder.

by Chelsea Hoffman

Mickey Shunick Murdered but Where Are the Details?

July 20, 2012 06:25 AM EDT

The family of Mickey Shunick are still hopeful that she's alive, which adds an even sadder element to this already tragic case. Nonetheless, investigators have expressed that the missing Louisiana anthropology student was abducted and murdered by Brandon Scott Lavergne. While having a small shred of hope for a positive outcome is important in the grieving process of these missing persons cases, investigators and the sort aren't in the business of giving false hope to family members. However, it would be nice if the officials on this case provided more information as to what led them to believe the young woman was murdered. It would help in giving those close to Michaela "Mickey" Shunick a nudge toward the closure they will eventually receive as this impending trial commences.

In the meantime, critical thought processes and and a little research on the case may reveal just how serious this is. Brandon Scott Lavergne has been in and out of trouble a lot in his life, and the fact that he's been indicted on a cold case out of 1999 speaks volumes of the severity of the latest charge against him. In fact, knowing just how sinister this man's past is makes it even more apparent that Mickey Shunick was violated and murdered by the man.

Sometime in 1999, just before Lavergne was convicted and sentenced to 10 years for a brutal home invasion and sexual assault, missing woman Lisa Pate turned up murdered. There are very details on this woman's case, but it's recently been revealed that Lavergne was a suspect at the time, but was unable to be indicted on lack of evidence. Still, he did 8 1/2 years of his 10 year sentence on an unrelated but clearly related crime. Now the grand jury feels there is enough evidence against him in this 13-year-old cold case, so he's been charged with Pate's murder as well as the murder of Michaela Shunick.

So what other cold cases in Louisiana have been investigated? Police haven't acknowledged which ones, but some research has turned out the following cases that are unsolved in the state:

Kassie Lynn Federer was found in her apartment shot to death in 1999. The Baton Rouge woman was only 19 years old, and very attractive much like Mickey Shunick. Her murder has never been solved and there isn't much information on the crime committed.

Randi Jane Mebruer vanished in 1998 from Zachary, Louisiana. She and her young son had walked to a video store and returned home on the night of April 18, 1998. They went to sleep and the following morning the woman was gone. This case has been connected to serial killer Derrick Todd Lee, but who knows? She's never been located.

There are many more unsolved cases in Louisiana—too many to list. Could Brandon Scott Lavergne be connected to any of them? Considering he has a presumed past of arson, and a confirmed past of home invasion and sexual assault on women, it's safe to say that this man is a serial predator. He got sloppy this time, and hopefully the disappearance and murder of Michaela "Mickey" Shunick is the last notch on his belt. ("Hopefully? This guy is dead meat!)

While those interested in this case continue on their own research, it would still be nice for officials in this case to reveal just what leads them to believe that Mickey has been murdered.

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I can't help but think of Laga when I read articles like above. I do hope she's OK because she'd be all over this one and not a word.

I've thought the same thing cause this is in her neck of the woods.

Mickey Shunick Suspect Stalked and Bullied Beauty Queen

by Chelsea Hoffman
July 22, 2012 06:45 PM EDT

Mickey Shunick is far from the first victim of Brandon Scott Lavergne. Aside from Lisa Pate and the woman he was convicted of sexually assaulting in 1999, it appears that a former beauty queen is accusing him of stalking her. Former Miss Church Point Claire Higginbotham asserts that she has a history with this guy—but it's not a positive history at all. She's known the accused serial predator since grammar school, where he was a bully who picked on her in ways that are absolutely horrific.

"In the fifth grade he took a handful of ants and shoved them in my mouth. Then he slammed my head into a brick wall," said Claire Higginbotham.

She also alleges that Lavergne threatened her and her friends, promising to get revenge on her—though revenge for what is anybody's guess. Sources didn't clarify on that detail. Perhaps she got him in trouble for putting ants in her mouth. At 11 or 12 years old, nobody could foresee that Brandon Lavergne would turn into the suspect in not only one, but two murders. Claire says the terrorizing didn't end there. Years later, he moved across the street from her, and she has since lived in fear. She wouldn't even get a restraining order because of the fear of retaliation.

She's even more afraid now, knowing that he may be the one responsible for abducting and murdering Mickey Shunick. Who else has he harmed? Could Claire herself have been one of his eventual victims?

"Why did he have to ruin so many lives throughout his life? He has tortured so many people. Not only the people involved in this case, but throughout his life. And if there is one thing I could tell him right now, it would be he should rot in hell for everything he has done. To not only me, but the poor Pate woman that was found and also Mickey Shunick and her family," she said.

While it is known that this monster has done nothing but cause people suffering, it still seems that some family members of Michaela "Mickey" Shunick would still welcome a plea bargain in order to find the remains of their missing loved one. While it's understandable that people want closure in a case that has been long over-publicized, it's asinine to eve offer this man a shred of leniency. No plea bargain should be on the table when it comes to a potential serial killer. This man has slipped through the cracks of the U.S. justice system too many times, and it needs to end now.

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By: Brandon Comeaux | 8 hours ago

Lafayette Parish District Attorney Mike Harson is making his plans for the murder cases against Brandon Scott Lavergne. He plans to try the two murder cases at the same time. Legal analyst Tim Meche says it’s more economical for the prosecution to try both cases together.

Secondly, the prejudice to the defendant is greater because the fact that he is charged with two murders creates an inference in the jury’s mind that this is a really bad person.

But Meche says Lavergne will likely seek to have the two cases tried separately because “it’s not to his advantage.” Meche says capital murder cases are not rushed through the legal system.

The defendant is entitled to two court-appointed lawyers. He’s entitled to a number of expert witness resource assistance – probably there will be some mental exams involved.

Harson says it could take two to three years to bring Lavergne to trial. A grand jury indicted Brandon Scott Lavergne on July 18th in the recent suspected death of Mickey Shunick and the 1999 death of Lisa Pate.

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LAFAYETTE -- The 33-year-old Lafayette sex offender indicted in two local homicides will be arraigned Friday in a courtroom at the parish jail.,

Brandon S. Lavergne of Swords in St. Landry Parish faces charges of first-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping in the May 19 disappearance of Michaela "Mickey" Shunick; and of first-degree murder in the death of Lisa Ann Pate, whose remains were found in September 1999. Shunick's body has not been found.

Fifteenth Judicial District Judge Herman Clause said he scheduled Lavergne’s arraignment in the courtroom attached to the jail instead of in the Lafayette Parish Courthouse. A glass partition will separate onlookers from Lavergne, the attorneys and the judge.

“It made sense because of security problems and all,” Clause said Thursday afternoon. “Its the most secure courtroom that we have.”

The courtroom holds about 12 visitors. If need be, Clause said, he may move the arraignment to the parish courthouse.

Lavergne has to be present for the arraignment, Clause said.

Lavergne has been charged in two cases separated by nearly 13 years. The trials may proceed as one case, according to the Lafayette District Attorney's Office.

Shunick was last seen just before 2 a.m. May 19 when she was riding her bike from a friend's residence in Lafayette to her home. A surveillance video shows her pedaling along a street in downtown Lafayette followed soon after by a white pickup truck. Police say the truck in the video belongs to Lavergne and that he was driving it at the time.

Since then, police have recovered the black Schwinn bicycle under the Whiskey Bay bridge on Interstate 10, about 25 miles east of Lafayette. Police also have recovered the pickup -- a white Chevrolet Z-71 found burned in east Texas. It was registered to Lavergne, who had reported it stolen several days before it was found and who subsquently bought another white Chevy Z-71 pickup.

Police also confirmed that Lavergne was treated for multiple stab wounds to the neck and upper body in a Jefferson Parish hospital about 12 hours after and 140 miles away from where Shunick was seen on the surveillance video.

Pate was 34 when she disappeared in June or July of 1999. The remains of the native of New Iberia were found in September 1999.

According to police records, Lavergne was considered a suspect in the case, but a grand jury in 2008 determined there was not enough evidence to indict him. No arrest had been made in the case until last week when a grand jury in Lafayette indicted him in that case and in Shunick's case.

Lavergne spent eight years in prison, from February 2000 to August 2008, after being convicted of aggravated oral sexual battery. Lavergne attacked an 18-year-old woman in her home in Evangeline Parish, tied her to her bed with her shirt, and forced her to perform oral sex on him. In a plea agreement, a charge of aggravated burglary was dropped in exchange for a sentence of no more than 10 years in prison.

As a result of that attack, Lavergne is classified as a Tier 3 sex offender, the most serious classification. He is required to register with state and local law enforcement officials and to check in with local authorities every three months.

Prosecutors have not decided whether to seek the death penalty in the Shunick and Pate capital cases pending against Lavergne.

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9:12 AM, Jul 27, 2012

Written by
Claire Taylor

Brandon Scott Lavergne pleaded not guilty this morning to two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the May 19 disappearance of Mickey Shunick and the 1999 death of Lisa Ann Pate.

Lavergne, 33, of Swords in St. Landry Parish, was arrested July 5 in connection with Shunick’s disappearance.

Shunick was seen on surveillance video riding her bike just before 2 a.m. on May 19 past City Hall on St. Landry Street. A white pickup truck, later identified as belonging to Lavergne, was seen riding past City Hall shortly after Shunick.

Lavergne sought treatment for non-life-threatening stab wounds at a New Orleans hospital around 10 p.m. May 19, telling law enforcement officers that he was mugged and stabbed while asking for directions at a gas station.

Police said they can place Lavergne at Whiskey Bay off Interstate 10 where Shunick’s damaged bike was recovered on May 26.

Lavergne’s burned white truck was recovered May 31 in Texas. He reported it stolen.

A Lafayette grand jury indicted Lavergne July 18 for first-degree murder in connection with Shunick’s disappearance, even though the search for Shunick continues.

In a surprise move, the grand jury also indicted him for the first-degree murder of Pate, a mother of three who went missing in June or July of 1999.

An Acadia Parish grand jury in 2008 failed to indict Lavergne for Pate’s murder. He was in prison at the time, serving more than eight years of a 10-year sentence for aggravated oral sexual battery in another incident that occurred a few months before Pate disappeared.

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