South Carolina Man Pleads Guilty, Faces Life in Prison After Wife's Burned Body Discovered in 'Makeshift' Grave

Lawrence Joseph Florentine pleaded guilty to multiple charges in federal court, including domestic violence resulting in death

A South Carolina man faces life in federal prison after his wife's burned body was discovered in a "makeshift" grave in 2020, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Lawrence Joseph Florentine, 56, has pleaded guilty to interstate domestic violence resulting in death, use of a firearm during a crime of violence to cause death, obstruction of justice, and use of fire during the commission of a felony over three years after his wife Nicole Zahnd Florentine's body was found "charred" with a ".22 caliber bullet wound to the head" determined to be her cause of death, per a release.

The U.S. Attorney's Office noted that the two had a "volatile" relationship after marrying in 2018, citing recordings and observations from family. Since December 2019, authorities in York County responded to multiple calls from Nicole, who accused Lawrence of physically abusing her and having "threatened to kill her, burn her, and bury her." Lawrence was previously arrested twice on domestic violence charges, one which was at least partially dismissed at Nicole's request.

Then, on May 23, 2020, the couple’s home in Rock Hill was "destroyed by fire," the release from the U.S. Attorney's Office noted.

"Text messages and photographs Florentine sent to Nicole during the fire show that he intentionally burned her belongings and intentionally set the property on fire," the release read. "Florentine is charged with arson in state court in connection with the fire."

Between June 2 and June 11 of that year, the two then traveled together by car and were last known to be in Piedmont, South Carolina, according to an FBI investigation. Nicole's grandmother reportedly filed a missing person report when she stopped hearing from her during the trip.

Related: Mom Found Dead After Police Uncover Alleged Plot to Murder Husband with Daughter

A body that was later identified as Nicole's was found by a groundskeeper for Hill Cemetery in Fredonia, Kentucky, on June 13, 2020. "A gas can was recovered from behind a tree near the burial site," the release notes. "No identification, cell phone, or other personal belongings were found."

After eyewitnesses reported seeing a car identical to Florentine's and a hardware store clerk identified a transaction for a shovel and gas can to someone who matched Florentine’s description, surveillance footage later featured Florentine filling the can at a nearby station, per the office.

"No firearm was found; however, police recovered a lighter and .22 caliber cartridges in the center console and located Nicole’s blood on the rear exterior of Florentine’s abandoned car," the release noted. "Sometime after June 11, 2020, Florentine fled Kentucky and arrived in Denver, Colorado. On June 23, 2020, he surrendered to the Denver Police."

Related: Va. Man Found Guilty of First-Degree Murder and Arson for Killing Woman He Thought Was His Ex

Florentine, who faces life in prison, also faces eight years of supervision after his sentence, and a fine of up to $250,000 restitution.

“Domestic violence affects our community in a deep and enduring way,” U.S. Attorney Adair Boroughs wrote in a release.

“And we who serve as federal prosecutors for South Carolina have a duty to use all the tools at our disposal—and leverage our partnerships with local law enforcement and prosecutors—to ensure victims have a viable path to safety and justice. May we honor Nicole’s memory as we work to address and prevent future domestic violence.”

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An obituary for Nicole from 2020 noted that she was survived by four children. "She had the most infectious, beautiful smile and a laugh that could make almost anyone laugh along with her," it noted, adding "She wrote everything down and left her children, sisters, parents, and grandparents boxes of letters, journals, and doodles to remember her by."

A date for sentencing has not yet been announced, and Florentine will be sentenced by U.S. District Judge Donald C. Coggins.

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