Mom of 3 Tortured, Dies After 8 Months: What Really Happened to Kelley LaLonde?
A tragic case in Michigan is drawing national attention — not only for the horrific nature of the alleged crime but also for the questions it raises about accountability and justice. Kelley LaLonde, a 35-year-old mother of three, died on May 26, 2025, after enduring what police and prosecutors describe as days of torture. Her alleged attacker, Jonathan Zieroff, could soon be facing a murder charge depending on the results of her autopsy.
Found in a Filthy Bed, Barely Alive
LaLonde was found on Sept. 12, 2024, in the home of Jonathan Zieroff, her then-boyfriend. According to a criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE, she was unresponsive, soaked in her own urine, and lying in a filthy bed. Police say she had visible bruises and cuts across her body, bleeding in her brain, and other internal injuries.
Law&Crime reported that officers found LaLonde in a bed with clenched fists and shallow breathing, her feet and arms badly bruised, and her skull fractured. She also had extensive vaginal bruising. Medical staff placed her on a ventilator, and she remained in critical condition for months.
How Police Were Alerted
According to Law&Crime, it was LaLonde's mother who reported her missing. She hadn't heard from her daughter or seen her at work for five days. That call triggered the wellness check that led Carrollton Township police to Zieroff's home. When police arrived, Zieroff wasn't home, and his mother reportedly said he had gone to meet a friend. When questioned about LaLonde's condition, she offered no clear explanation — only noting that her son had given her varying accounts of what had happened.
Police arrested Zieroff the next day after tracking his phone to a wooded area nearby. He was charged with assault with intent to do great bodily harm and second-offense domestic violence. According to PEOPLE, Zieroff's bail was set at $50,000, which he did not post, and he has been in Saginaw County custody since his arrest.
Sudden Dismissal — and New Charges
In a twist that caught many by surprise, the initial case against Zieroff was dropped just days before LaLonde died. PEOPLE reported that prosecutors filed a nolle prosequi — a formal decision to stop pursuing charges — citing it was "in the best interest of justice." However, just one day later, on May 13, 2025, Zieroff was newly charged with one count of torture.
According to Law&Crime, LaLonde was declared brain-dead the same day that new charges were filed. Following her death on May 26, prosecutors are now reassessing the case and could file an additional murder charge depending on the results of her autopsy and toxicology report. The decision on additional charges could take up to three weeks, Saginaw County Chief Assistant Prosecutor Blair N. Stevenson told MLive.
A Life Remembered
LaLonde's death has devastated her family — especially her three children, who are now 14, 11, and 3 years old. In a GoFundMe post seeking support for funeral expenses, her sister April Reed wrote, "Kelley received her angel wings and is now watching over all of us at this difficult time," according to PEOPLE.
Her obituary, quoted by Law&Crime, described her as having "a vibrant spirit, characterized by her love for singing and dancing." She adored classic television — especially "I Love Lucy" — and was a passionate fan of Elvis Presley and Michigan Football.
Zieroff's next court appearance is scheduled for July 3, 2025. As the community awaits further developments, many are wondering whether justice will be fully served.
References: Mom of 3 Was Tortured and Left Brain Dead in a Filthy Bed — Then Died 8 Months Later. Is a Murder Charge Next? | Mother of 3 dies months after man allegedly tortured her for days and caused her brain to stop functioning | Saginaw County mother dies months after man allegedly tortured her for days
