The Tragic Case Of Gannon Stauch: 7 Shocking Revelations From The Letecia Stauch Murder Trial And Final Verdict

The disappearance and subsequent murder of 11-year-old Gannon Stauch remains one of the most heartbreaking and complex criminal cases in recent Colorado history. His tragic story, which began in January 2020, captivated the nation and culminated in a shocking trial that exposed the dark deceit of his stepmother, Letecia Stauch. The legal proceedings concluded with a guilty verdict, but the details revealed in court continue to haunt the public.

As of December 15, 2025, the case has moved into the post-conviction phase, with Letecia Stauch serving a life sentence. This article provides a comprehensive look at the tragedy, the key timeline of events, and the most disturbing facts that led to the final verdict in this senseless crime.

Gannon Stauch and Letecia Stauch: Key Biographies and Case Entities

The case involves several central figures whose lives were irrevocably altered by the events of early 2020. Understanding their roles is crucial to grasping the full scope of the tragedy.

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• Gannon Stauch (Victim):
  • Born: September 29, 2008
  • Disappearance: January 27, 2020, Colorado Springs, Colorado
  • Age: 11 years old
  • Circumstances: Reported missing by his stepmother, Letecia Stauch, who claimed he left home to walk to a friend's house.
  • Cause of Death: Autopsy revealed Gannon suffered a gunshot wound, multiple stab wounds, and blunt force trauma.
  • Recovery of Remains: Found on March 17, 2020, in a suitcase beneath a bridge in Pace, Florida.
• Letecia Stauch (Convicted Murderer):
  • Role: Stepmother to Gannon Stauch.
  • Crime: First-degree murder of a child under 12, tampering with a deceased human body, and other related charges.
  • Trial: Began in April 2023 in El Paso County, Colorado.
  • Defense Strategy: Pled not guilty by reason of insanity, which the jury ultimately rejected.
  • Verdict: Found guilty on all counts in May 2023.
  • Sentence: Life in prison without parole plus 13 years.
• Al Stauch:
  • Role: Gannon's father and Letecia Stauch's husband at the time of the crime.
  • Occupation: Served in the U.S. Army.
  • Involvement: Was deployed in Oklahoma at the time of Gannon's disappearance. His emotional testimony was a key part of the prosecution's case.
• Laina Stauch:
  • Role: Gannon's biological mother.
  • Involvement: A vocal advocate for justice for Gannon, her testimony detailed the impact of the murder on her life.

The Deceptive Disappearance: A Timeline of Lies and Discovery

The timeline of the Gannon Stauch case is marked by the elaborate deception carried out by Letecia Stauch, which spanned from the day of the murder to her eventual arrest.

January 27, 2020: The Murder and False Report. Gannon was murdered in the family's Colorado Springs home. Letecia Stauch later reported him missing, claiming he left the house between 3:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. to walk to a friend's house.

January 28–29, 2020: The Cover-Up Begins. Surveillance footage from a neighbor's home captured Letecia Stauch backing her truck into the garage on the afternoon of the 27th and then leaving the home hours later. Investigators later determined she purchased carpet cleaner, odor remover, and trash bags, and also rented a U-Haul van.

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January 30–31, 2020: The Road Trip. Letecia Stauch began a multi-state journey, driving over 1,300 miles from Colorado to Florida. Evidence later showed she was attempting to dispose of Gannon's body.

March 2, 2020: Arrest. Letecia Stauch was arrested in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, and charged with first-degree murder.

March 17, 2020: Discovery. Gannon Stauch’s remains were found in a suitcase in a remote area beneath a bridge in Pace, Florida, near Pensacola.

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7 Shocking Revelations from the Letecia Stauch Murder Trial

The trial, which lasted several weeks, was a harrowing experience that brought to light the brutal and calculated nature of Gannon's murder. The prosecution systematically dismantled Letecia Stauch's claims of innocence and insanity.

1. The Brutal Nature of the Attack. The autopsy report revealed the horrific extent of Gannon’s injuries, including a gunshot wound, 18 stab wounds, and blunt force trauma. This evidence was crucial in demonstrating intent and malice.

2. The Insanity Defense was Rejected. Letecia Stauch’s legal team mounted an insanity defense, arguing she suffered from Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID) and that an alter personality committed the crime. The jury, however, rejected this defense, finding her legally sane and responsible for her actions.

3. The U-Haul and Multi-State Disposal. The prosecution presented evidence of the U-Haul rental and Letecia's cross-country journey to Florida. Her actions demonstrated a clear, calculated effort to conceal the crime, directly contradicting her claim of being in a dissociative state.

4. Carpet and Blood Evidence. Testimony detailed the discovery of Gannon's blood in the home and the subsequent attempts to clean it up. The fact that she purchased cleaning supplies and removed parts of the carpet was a key piece of forensic evidence.

5. The Fake Story of Sexual Assault. Letecia Stauch initially told investigators a fabricated story that a sexual assault had occurred in the home, attempting to divert suspicion and create a false narrative around Gannon's disappearance.

6. Recorded Phone Calls with Al Stauch. During the trial, recorded phone calls between Letecia and her then-husband, Al Stauch, were played. In one call, she shockingly begged for immunity, a move that further damaged her credibility with the jury.

7. The Motive: A Desire to Leave. While a definitive motive was never explicitly stated, the prosecution suggested that Letecia Stauch was unhappy in her marriage and felt Gannon was an impediment to her desire to leave Colorado and start a new life.

The Finality of the Verdict and Current Legal Status

In May 2023, the jury found Letecia Stauch guilty of first-degree murder of a child under the age of 12, tampering with a deceased human body, and other charges. The verdict brought a measure of closure to Gannon's family and the community that had followed the case so closely.

Sentencing and Incarceration. Letecia Stauch was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 13 years for the other charges. She is currently incarcerated, serving her sentence for the heinous murder of her stepson.

The Appeal Process. As is standard in murder convictions, the case has moved into the direct appeal stage. As of the current date, Letecia Stauch’s appeal remains active in the Colorado court system. This process reviews the trial for any legal errors that may have occurred, though overturning a conviction of this magnitude is exceptionally rare.

The dismissal of a separate federal lawsuit she filed challenging the conditions of her confinement prior to the trial is another recent legal development, demonstrating her continued attempts to challenge the system even after her conviction.

The legacy of Gannon Stauch is one of profound loss, but also of the community's relentless pursuit of justice. His memory is honored by the final verdict that held his killer accountable for the brutal and calculated crime that ended his young life.