The Unsolved Murder Of Mischelle Lawless: 5 Shocking Facts About Leon Lamb And The Cold Case Reopened
The names Leon Lamb and Mischelle Lawless are inextricably linked to one of Missouri's most enduring and controversial cold cases. Decades after the brutal crime, the 1992 murder of 19-year-old Angela "Mischelle" Lawless continues to baffle investigators and divide the small community of Scott County, Missouri. The case gained renewed national attention due to the shocking wrongful conviction that followed and the lingering questions surrounding Mischelle’s boyfriend at the time, Leon Lamb, whose DNA was found at the scene.
As of late December 2025, the case remains officially unsolved, though significant developments, including the case being reportedly reopened in mid-2023, have brought fresh hope for justice. This deep dive examines the key figures, the shocking evidence, and the controversies that keep Mischelle’s story alive in the true crime world, focusing on the latest information available.
Biographical Profile: Angela "Mischelle" Lawless and Leon Lamb
The tragic story of Mischelle Lawless and Leon Lamb is set against the backdrop of a seemingly normal life in rural Missouri before it was shattered by violence.
- Full Name: Angela "Mischelle" Lawless
- Date of Death: November 8, 1992
- Age at Death: 19 years old
- Location: Benton, Scott County, Missouri
- Occupation: College student (nursing student)
- Key Detail: Mischelle was found shot to death in her 1986 Buick Somerset, which was stalled on an interstate exit ramp. She was a green belt in karate, suggesting she was capable of defending herself.
- Full Name: Leon Lamb
- Relationship to Mischelle: Boyfriend of three years at the time of her death.
- Key Detail: He was the last person who admitted to seeing Mischelle alive. His DNA was found mixed with Mischelle's blood under her fingernails, suggesting a struggle or contact shortly before her death.
- Status: Lamb was a potential suspect but was never charged with the murder. He has maintained his innocence, claiming the DNA was from consensual sex shortly before she disappeared.
The 1992 Murder and the Shocking DNA Evidence
Mischelle Lawless was discovered deceased in her car in November 1992. The discovery launched an investigation that would later become a textbook example of a flawed prosecution, a wrongful conviction, and a lingering cold case.
The Discrepancy of Leon Lamb's DNA
One of the most persistent and controversial pieces of evidence in the Mischelle Lawless case is the presence of Leon Lamb's DNA.
Lamb, Mischelle's boyfriend, was questioned early on. He confirmed he had been with Mischelle that night.
Later forensic analysis, specifically from Dutch experts, confirmed that Leon Lamb's DNA was mixed with Mischelle's blood found under her fingernails.
While this evidence strongly suggests a physical encounter, Lamb offered an explanation: he claimed the DNA was a result of consensual sex they had shortly before she went missing, which would not necessarily indicate he was her killer.
However, the DNA's location—mixed with blood beneath her nails—is often associated with a victim scratching an attacker during a violent struggle, keeping the suspicion on Lamb for many years.
The Wrongful Conviction of Josh Kezer
The investigation took a disastrous turn that completely overshadowed the DNA evidence and Leon Lamb's involvement for over a decade. In a shocking miscarriage of justice, a man named Joshua "Josh" Kezer was arrested and charged with Mischelle's murder.
Kezer was only 18 years old at the time of the murder and was arrested at his father's home in Kankakee, Illinois.
He was convicted of first-degree murder based on shaky eyewitness testimony and prosecutorial misconduct, despite a complete lack of forensic evidence—no DNA, no fingerprints, and no witnesses—linking him to the crime scene in Scott County.
Kezer spent 16 years in prison for a crime he did not commit.
The Exoneration and Mark Abbott
Through the tireless work of investigators and journalists, new evidence emerged that led to Kezer's exoneration in 2009. He was officially declared "actually innocent" by a judge.
The exoneration shifted the focus back to the original suspects and the flawed investigation. It also brought forth new information, including claims from a man named Mark Abbott, who allegedly confessed to being the killer.
Abbott, a key figure in the case's ongoing mystery, added another layer of complexity to the true crime narrative, though no charges have been filed against him.
Latest Updates: The Cold Case Reopened
For years, the case was considered a cold case, but the relentless media coverage, including features on *48 Hours* and true crime podcasts like *Crime Junkie*, kept the pressure on authorities.
In a significant and recent development, the Angela "Mischelle" Lawless murder case was officially reopened in June 2023, 32 years after her death.
This reopening is a direct result of the continuous efforts by Mischelle’s family, advocates, and the public interest in the true identity of the killer.
The current investigation will undoubtedly focus on re-examining the original evidence, including the controversial DNA evidence under Mischelle's fingernails, using modern forensic techniques.
The renewed focus on the case has brought Leon Lamb's name back into the public discourse, along with other potential suspects. The community of Benton, Missouri, and the wider true crime audience are now watching closely to see if this decades-old mystery will finally be solved, bringing closure to the Lawless family and definitively identifying the person responsible for the young nursing student's tragic death.
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