Testimony resumed Friday afternoon in the Letecia Stauch murder trial; she stands accused of killing her 11-year-old stepson, Gannon Stauch.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, prosecutors say Stauch stabbed, shot, and beat Gannon inside the family’s El Paso County home in Colorado, on January 27, 2020. Months later, his body was found stuffed into a suitcase beneath a bridge in Pace, Florida.
Stauch is now on trial at the El Paso County Court, facing first-degree murder and related charges.
CSI Christian Liewer with the Colorado Springs Department resumed his testimony Friday afternoon, concerning investigations at the Stauch family’s former Fountain home, in February 2020. While searching the home, Liewer said they used a BlueStar Forensic chemical to detect blood not seen with the naked eye.
According to Liewer, the chemical showed positive reactions to blood in Gannon’s room, including spatter found on the walls, blood stains on the carpet, carpet padding, and concrete under the carpet.
Liewer testified earlier Friday morning that he found blood in the garage, on the garage door handle, and on the garage floor. Blood was also detected on boxes, an electrical socket, inside the laundry room, and on the laundry room door.
Police also retrieved a comforter from Stauch’s teen daughter’s room and a sheet from the laundry room; both items were taken to be tested for potential bloodstains
During the search of the home, investigators found a black Smith & Wesson handgun in the master bedroom. Colorado Springs Metro Crime Lab’s senior firearms examiner, Stephanie Happ, testified Friday that a bullet found in Gannon’s body came from a Smith & Wesson handgun.
Letecia Stauch is facing charges of:
- Murder in the First Degree (Child Under Twelve-Position of Trust §18-3-102(1)(f))
- Tampering with a Deceased Human Body, §18-8-610.5
- Tampering with Physical Evidence, §18-8-610(1)(a)
She pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial continues. Check back for updates.
Additional Reading
PART ONE: Tecia Stauch Interview
PART TWO: Tecia Stauch Interview
PART THREE: Tecia Stauch Interview
Neighbor Roderrick Drayton Interview
CLICK HERE to see all of our coverage on Gannon Stauch
For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast. Listen to a previous episode on the case below.
[Feature Photo: Gannon Stauch/Facebook via Landen Hiott]
