A Custody Battle Turned Deadly: Murdered by Those She Trusted Most

August 28, 2017, Corning, New York—At 9:02 a.m., a chilling 911 call came in from a quiet residential street. A calm, collected 19-year-old woman named Carrie Nurauder reported that her mother had hanged herself inside their home. This tragic event would unfold into a complex tale of custody disputes, psychological manipulation, and ultimately, murder.

The Scene of the Crime

When first responders arrived, they found 46-year-old Michelle Nurauder hanging from the stairwell, a synthetic rope tied to the upper banister. The scene appeared unsettlingly clean—no overturned furniture, no signs of struggle. Michelle’s phone was plugged in on the table, and the family dog was locked away. Carrie described her mother as having been depressed following a recent custody battle over her youngest daughter, Charlotte. This led investigators to initially believe that the death was a suicide.

However, appearances can be deceiving. Red flags began to surface during the autopsy. The forensic pathologist found ligature markings that were inconsistent with typical suicidal hangings and suggested manual strangulation instead. Additionally, there was no electronic activity from Michelle's phone after 10:31 p.m. the previous evening, nor was there a suicide note found.

A Bitter Custody Battle

Michelle was a dedicated mother who had fought vigorously for the custody of her youngest daughter. Her divorce from Lloyd Nurauder had been contentious, filled with accusations and legal battles regarding visitation rights. In the months leading up to her death, Michelle had received a favorable court ruling regarding custody, a decision that likely fueled tensions further.

Court records revealed that Lloyd had attempted to gain sole custody of Charlotte, claiming that Michelle was unfit. Despite his efforts, his attempts were consistently denied, which he viewed as a betrayal. Michelle had expressed fears to her friends and legal counsel that Lloyd would retaliate against her following the court’s decision.

Investigative Breakthroughs

As detectives began to dig deeper into the case, they uncovered discrepancies in Carrie’s story. Up until now, she had appeared composed and cooperative, but inconsistencies began to emerge. For example, phone records showed that Carrie had extensive communication with her father during critical times surrounding the custody case developments. Suspicion grew when a forensic examination revealed text messages from Lloyd advising Carrie to “bring gloves” and warning her not to “hesitate.”

The situation escalated when investigators discovered security footage showing a vehicle matching Lloyd's arriving at Michelle's residence around the time of her death. The combination of digital evidence, witness statements, and physical evidence rapidly shifted the narrative from suicide to homicide.

The Shift in Investigation

Investigators began to categorize both Carrie and Lloyd as suspects, focusing on the timeline leading up to Michelle's murder. Surveillance footage captured the pivotal moments leading to her death, including Carrie exiting her dorm late at night before returning the next morning—a timeline that perfectly matched the moments in which both Lloyd and an unknown device connected to Michelle's Wi-Fi.

As evidence accumulated, authorities began to formulate a case against Lloyd, leading to his arrest on September 11. He faced multiple charges, including first-degree murder and conspiracy.

A Daughter's Confession

In the wake of Lloyd's arrest, the investigators turned their attention back to Carrie. Initially viewed as a victim, she soon found herself implicated in her mother's death. After multiple interviews and the emergence of solid evidence, Carrie agreed to a plea deal in exchange for her testimony against her father. In a shocking confession, she outlined how she had assisted Lloyd in the planning and execution of Michelle’s murder.

Carrie admitted that her father had emotionally manipulated her, convincing her that if Michelle remained alive, they would lose everything. She detailed how her father had handed her gloves and a burner phone and instructed her to disable the alarm system on the night of the murder. Carrie revealed the harrowing details of the night, as she heard muffled sounds followed by a thud, and her subsequent help in wiping down surfaces to eliminate evidence.

The Trial

The trial of Lloyd Nurauder began in January 2019. The prosecution painted a stark picture of premeditated murder fueled by emotional manipulation. They presented overwhelming forensic evidence, including the injuries sustained by Michelle that were indicative of strangulation, not suicide. Carrie provided corroborative testimony, effectively sealing her father’s fate.

Ultimately, Lloyd was found guilty on all counts and sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Carrie received a separate plea deal, serving one to three years in state prison, after which she changed her name and relocated, attempting to distance herself from the haunting legacy of her family’s actions.

Aftermath and Reflections

The case drew significant public attention and raised questions about the complexities of familial bonds, the impact of coercive control, and the psychological manipulation that can lead to such horrific outcomes. It highlighted the importance of recognizing and addressing psychological abuse and the need for better protections for those caught in abusive and controlling dynamics.

Today, the Nurauder case serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating that beneath a façade of normalcy, dark realities can lurk, often unnoticed until it’s too late. As investigators reflected on the case, they acknowledged the slow and methodical nature of their work—every step, intentional; every piece of evidence, essential.

In the end, the tragedy of Michelle Nurauder lives on, not just in the memories of those who mourn her, but in the lessons learned from a case that shook a community to its core.