Snapped is examining the murder of Shawndell McLeod, who was kidnapped and killed by her abusive ex-girlfriend Joyce Marie Pelzer in Dekalb County, Georgia.
On September 25, 2011, 35-year-old McLeod was reported missing after she failed to turn up for work. A search of her home in Lithonia revealed no sign of her, and her car was missing.
The Atlanta PD recovered McLeod’s vehicle a few days later. It was in muddy condition, and the back seat contained a tarp and spare tire.
The cops learned that McLeod had recently separated from Pelzer following an abusive relationship. There was already an arrest warrant issued for Pelzer after she allegedly threatened McLeod with a knife in July 2011.
McLeod also claimed that Pelzer had broken into her home and taken all her furniture.
When interviewed about the murder, Pelzer told the police she was at home with her new girlfriend, Rosalyn Lewis, and that she later went to work. Her employer later told the cops that she never came in that day. However, there was not enough evidence to convict Pelzer at the time.
New girlfriend said Joyce Pelzer killed Shawndell McLeod
The case went cold for nearly seven years. In the meantime, Pelzer had married Lewis, but by 2018, the latter was seeking a divorce. A detective sought out Pelzer’s then-new girlfriend, who gave them information about the McLeod murder.
Watch the Latest on our YouTube ChannelPelzer’s latest girlfriend claimed that the killer had admitted to her that she had planned McLeod’s murder with Lewis and a hitman. The twisted trio allegedly kidnapped McLeod and held her captive for several days while they dug a hole for the body.
In December 2018, the girlfriend again contacted the police with some dramatic news; she said Pelzer was planning to kill Lewis. A few days later, Lewis was found in a motel room in Conyers, GA, suffering from 30 stab wounds. She passed away in a hospital a short time later.
Joyce Pelzer convicted of killing Rosalyn Lewis and Shawndell McLeod
The Georgia State Patrol later encountered Pelzer on Interstate 75 in southern Georgia, where the killer led them on a dramatic chase. At one point, Pelzer raised her gun, causing the officers to shoot her.
Pelzer survived her injuries and pleaded guilty to killing Rosalyn Lewis, for which she was sentenced to life without parole.
The killer claimed that Lewis had been responsible for killing McLeod. However, in December 2023, a jury also found her guilty of killing McLeod.
McLeod’s body has never been found.
Snapped airs Sundays at 6/5c on Investigation Discovery.