Sometimes, the truth is buried a little too close to home. ABC’s “20/20” returns with a chilling true-crime story that’ll make you rethink that backyard barbecue. When Michael Shaver, a theme park mechanic and family man, vanished into thin air in 2015, his co-workers noticed the gaping hole in the workshop faster than his wife seemed to. While Laurie Shaver initially spun a tale of a mysterious black SUV spiriting her husband away, leaving her and their two children behind, the story felt as sturdy as a cardboard cutout. Two years passed, and the small town where the Shavers resided buzzed with theories, but answers remained elusive.
The case eventually took a decidedly grim turn. Police, after exhausting other leads, turned their attention to the Shaver family home. What they unearthed—literally—sent shockwaves through the community. A seemingly innocuous fire pit and concrete patio in the backyard became ground zero, revealing secrets that Laurie Shaver had clearly hoped would remain buried. The story quickly shifted from a missing person to a murder investigation, with Laurie at the center of the crosshairs.
Naturally, a defense strategy emerged, one often employed in such cases: paint the victim as the villain. Allegations of infidelity and domestic violence became the defense’s go-to narrative, attempting to reposition Michael Shaver from devoted husband to something far more sinister.
“20/20” aims to unpack the story, offering viewers exclusive interviews with Michael Shaver’s family, still grappling with their loss, and Laurie Shaver’s current husband, presumably caught in the undertow of this tragic saga. The legal teams from both sides also weigh in, providing their perspectives on a case that gripped a small town and continues to generate questions. “GMA3” co-anchor Eva Pilgrim helms this “20/20” report, aiming to sift through the conflicting accounts and present a clear view of the events that led to a backyard burial and a wife’s alleged betrayal.
“20/20” airs Friday, January 10, 2025, from 9:01-11:00 p.m. EST on ABC, and you can stream it on Hulu the next day.
