Overview of Mysterious Death of: Lakeisha Thompson
This Crime Junkie episode investigates the death of Lakeisha “Lakeisha” Thompson, whose fatal gunshot wound was quickly ruled a suicide by investigators despite major inconsistencies at the scene, troubling behavior from her fiancé Nathan Fitton, and a number of missing or withheld pieces of evidence. The episode follows her daughter Andrea Fluker and a private investigator as they push for answers, eventually forcing the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to change the manner of death to undetermined—but not enough for Clayton County to reopen the case.
What Happened
- On May 24, 2023, Andrea receives a late-night call from her mom’s new fiancé, Nathan Fitton, saying Lakeisha had left his house after an argument.
- Hours later, Andrea is told by the medical examiner’s office that Lakeisha died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
- Andrea immediately questions the ruling:
- Lakeisha had been doing better mentally and was planning for the future.
- She was excited for her best friend Tanya’s wedding and had upcoming plans.
- Her family believed she would not have taken her own life.
- The family pushes for a more thorough investigation and eventually an autopsy is performed.
Key Evidence and Inconsistencies
Scene and physical evidence
- Lakeisha was found in the living room with a gun in her right hand, but she was left-handed.
- The gunshot trajectory and bullet placement raised questions:
- The bullet hit a doorframe at about waist height, which seems inconsistent with Nathan’s account that she shot herself in the head while standing over him.
- There was evidence of a possible earlier shot:
- A casing was found on a pillow in the bedroom.
- There was a hole in the ceiling above the bed.
- The bullet itself was never recovered.
Nathan Fitton’s statements
- Nathan initially called Andrea in a panic, then vanished from communication with the family.
- On the 911 call and body cam footage, he repeatedly says:
- “I didn’t mean it.”
- He and Lakeisha had argued.
- She allegedly grabbed a gun.
- His story shifts over time:
- At the scene, the dispute is tied to him ending the relationship and not attending a funeral.
- Later, in a recorded call with Andrea, he gives a different version involving a friend’s wedding, drinking, and Lakeisha “tripping” before the gun went off.
- He was heavily intoxicated during police contact and refused to cooperate once sober.
Gunshot residue and missing records
- Nathan tested positive for gunshot residue.
- The file did not clearly include Lakeisha’s gunshot residue results, though police later told the family she tested negative.
- Andrea and the PI also noted that:
- Photos of Lakeisha holding the gun were referenced but not included in the file.
- Digital evidence from a Ring doorbell camera and an interior hallway camera was collected by police, but the footage was not released.
Important Background on Nathan
- A prior incident from February 24, 2023 showed a woman calling police after Nathan allegedly pointed a gun at her.
- The gun described in that report matched the black-and-red handgun later found in Lakeisha’s hand.
- Nathan was not charged in that earlier incident because police did not get enough evidence or access to the house.
The Investigation’s Turning Point
- Private investigator Walter Reddick reviewed the file and pushed for a deeper look.
- He and attorney Chelsea Golding met with the GBI medical examiner, Dr. Keith Lehman, and showed him additional evidence and context that had not been provided originally.
- After reviewing the full picture, the GBI changed the manner of death from suicide to undetermined.
Where the Case Stands
- Even after the GBI’s revised finding, Clayton County Police Department refused to reopen the case.
- The department said the investigation was closed and maintained that no new credible evidence justified further action.
- The episode argues that the central problem is not necessarily proving homicide, but the fact that:
- key evidence has not been fully disclosed,
- important records appear missing or incomplete,
- and Lakeisha’s family still does not have clear answers.
Main Takeaways
- The episode presents Lakeisha Thompson’s death as a case full of unanswered questions, not a straightforward suicide.
- The biggest red flags include:
- inconsistent witness statements,
- unusual crime scene details,
- a prior gun-related incident involving Nathan,
- a positive GSR result for Nathan,
- and missing camera and forensic evidence.
- The family’s core demand is simple: release the full evidence and let the facts speak for themselves.
Notable Final Message
The episode ends by urging anyone with information about Lakeisha Thompson or Nathan Fitton to come forward and reminds listeners that help is available through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.