Michigan Landlord Convicted in Horrifying Double Murder Case
A Michigan landlord, Chad Allen Reed, 56, has been found guilty of the murders of his tenants, Joseph Soule, 34, and Jaclyn Lepird, 31. The verdict came from a grand jury on Friday, concluding a two-year legal process.
The grim incidents unfolded in October 2020 when Soule and Lepird were reported missing by concerned friends and family. A week later, their bodies were discovered wrapped in plastic, concealed beneath debris in the bed of a truck in a vacant lot.
Adding to the distress, the couple’s house mysteriously caught fire three days after the discovery. Authorities are yet to determine the cause, and Reed has not been charged in connection with the incident, although it was revealed that there were multiple attempts to burn the home down.
During the investigation, a chilling 911 call was disclosed while the couple was still considered missing. The caller mentioned Reed potentially cleaning their apartment with bleach, raising suspicions early on.
Lepird’s sister, Trinity Middleton, expressed the family’s anguish, especially noting the loss of personal items in the fire. “The only thing any of us had left of Jackie was her stuff. I would have given anything to just have one T-shirt that smells like her, and that’s gone now; our pieces are gone.”
Reed, who resided on the floor below the victims, eventually confessed to the murders when he called a police tip line. He claimed self-defense, alleging that Soule had pulled a knife on him during an argument. Reed admitted to shooting Soule and pursuing Lepird on foot, beating and strangling her in their backyard.
Investigators believe Reed left the bodies on the property for several days before relocating them to a nearby garage to avoid detection.
Reed’s defense attempted to paint the victims, particularly Lepird, in a negative light, citing a “bad temper” and Soule’s struggles with substance abuse. Medical examiners, however, clarified that neither drugs nor COVID-19, which the victims tested positive for, were responsible for their deaths.
Reed’s defense lawyer argued that the killings were brought on by the couple’s alleged mental health issues. They fought daily, she claimed, and there were “rumors of flirting and cheating and that no one was immune from their rage.”
Ongoing issues, including financial disputes and noise complaints, were reported in their apartment.
Drops of blood near the kitchen and signs of a struggle added to the grim narrative. In a state of moderate decomposition, Soule’s body was discovered before Reed confessed to the murders.
Reed is scheduled for sentencing on November 30 in Calhoun County Circuit Court and could be sentenced to life without parole.
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The grim incidents unfolded in October 2020 when Soule and Lepird were reported missing by concerned friends and family. A week later, their bodies were discovered wrapped in plastic, concealed beneath debris in the bed of a truck in a vacant lot.
Adding to the distress, the couple’s house mysteriously caught fire three days after the discovery. Authorities are yet to determine the cause, and Reed has not been charged in connection with the incident, although it was revealed that there were multiple attempts to burn the home down.
During the investigation, a chilling 911 call was disclosed while the couple was still considered missing. The caller mentioned Reed potentially cleaning their apartment with bleach, raising suspicions early on.
Lepird’s sister, Trinity Middleton, expressed the family’s anguish, especially noting the loss of personal items in the fire. “The only thing any of us had left of Jackie was her stuff. I would have given anything to just have one T-shirt that smells like her, and that’s gone now; our pieces are gone.”
Reed, who resided on the floor below the victims, eventually confessed to the murders when he called a police tip line. He claimed self-defense, alleging that Soule had pulled a knife on him during an argument. Reed admitted to shooting Soule and pursuing Lepird on foot, beating and strangling her in their backyard.
Investigators believe Reed left the bodies on the property for several days before relocating them to a nearby garage to avoid detection.
Reed’s defense attempted to paint the victims, particularly Lepird, in a negative light, citing a “bad temper” and Soule’s struggles with substance abuse. Medical examiners, however, clarified that neither drugs nor COVID-19, which the victims tested positive for, were responsible for their deaths.
Reed’s defense lawyer argued that the killings were brought on by the couple’s alleged mental health issues. They fought daily, she claimed, and there were “rumors of flirting and cheating and that no one was immune from their rage.”
Ongoing issues, including financial disputes and noise complaints, were reported in their apartment.
Drops of blood near the kitchen and signs of a struggle added to the grim narrative. In a state of moderate decomposition, Soule’s body was discovered before Reed confessed to the murders.
Reed is scheduled for sentencing on November 30 in Calhoun County Circuit Court and could be sentenced to life without parole.
Want to listen to ALL of our podcasts AD-FREE? Subscribe through APPLE PODCASTS, and try it for three days free: https://tinyurl.com/ycw626tj
Follow Our Other Cases: https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com
