'Career criminal' who was 'living on the run' convicted of killing his wife, burying her in the desert

OTERO COUNTY, N.M. (TCN) -- A 57-year-old Louisiana man who "showed no remorse" for killing his wife will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars.

According to the New Mexico 12th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, on May 23, a jury convicted Shaun LeFleur of first-degree murder and tampering with evidence in connection with the death of his wife, Nancy LeFleur. A judge subsequently gave LeFleur a mandatory life sentence.

The judge told LeFleur, who will be almost 90 before he is eligible for parole, "I don’t think you will live that long. You will die in the New Mexico Department of Corrections."

The defendant, a "career criminal," and his wife reportedly came to Otero County, New Mexico, in 2023. Prosecutors said Shaun LeFleur was "living on the run and forcing his wife to come along with him."

According to the district attorney’s office, Shaun LeFleur and Nancy LeFleur were camping outside a state park near Alamogordo, but the defendant moved the camp into a remote desert area away from others. Shaun LeFleur reportedly began searching for local places he could buy a firearm and potential locations in Mexico where he could flee.

In February 2024, prosecutors said LeFleur "forced his wife" out of their tent and onto her knees before he fatally shot her execution-style. He reportedly used a tarp to wrap her body and buried her north of Oliver Lee State Park. The defendant fled to Texas but returned the following month to "set up camp in an effort to discourage people from stumbling upon the body."

Approximately two months after the victim’s shooting death, an individual allegedly came forward and told authorities they believed LeFleur killed his wife and buried her in the desert. Investigators discovered the victim’s body in a shallow grave just feet from where the defendant had previously camped. New Mexico State Police arrested LeFleur in April 2024.

The judge who imposed the sentence said, "Not one person in that courtroom, including him, 'believed his testimony,' as he was clearly continuing to lie in an attempt to cover up his crime."

According to the district attorney’s office, LeFleur was also convicted in New Mexico of battery against a household member after beating his wife in 2023. Nancy LeFleur was already deceased at the time of the conviction.

Following the trial, District Attorney Ryan Suggs said, "This was an extremely tough case to piece together. I’m extremely proud of my team of prosecutors and staff who worked tirelessly alongside me for the duration of this case. I’m thankful that we were able to bring LeFleur to justice and give the family the closure that they deserved."

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