Mickey Shunick Suspect Stalked and Bullied...

Mickey Shunick is far from the first victim of Brandon Scott Lavergne. Aside from Lisa Pate and the woman he was convicted of sexually assaulting in 1999, it appears that a former beauty queen is accusing him of stalking her. Former Miss Church Point Claire Higginbotham asserts that she has a history with this guyÂ—but it's not a positive history at all. She's known the accused serial predator since grammar school, where he was a bully who picked on her in ways that are absolutely horrific.

"In the fifth grade he took a handful of ants and shoved them in my mouth. Then he slammed my head into a brick wall," said Claire Higginbotham.

She also alleges that Lavergne threatened her and her friends, promising to get revenge on herÂ—though revenge for what is anybody's guess. Sources didn't clarify on that detail. Perhaps she got him in trouble for putting ants in her mouth. At 11 or 12 years old, nobody could foresee that Brandon Lavergne would turn into the suspect in not only one, but two murders. Claire says the terrorizing didn't end there. Years later, he moved across the street from her, and she has since lived in fear. She wouldn't even get a restraining order because of the fear of retaliation.

She's even more afraid now, knowing that he may be the one responsible for abducting and murdering Mickey Shunick. Who else has he harmed? Could Claire herself have been one of his eventual victims?

"Why did he have to ruin so many lives throughout his life? He has tortured so many people. Not only the people involved in this case, but throughout his life. And if there is one thing I could tell him right now, it would be he should rot in hell for everything he has done. To not only me, but the poor Pate woman that was found and also Mickey Shunick and her family," she said.

While it is known that this monster has done nothing but cause people suffering, it still seems that some family members of Michaela "Mickey" Shunick would still welcome a plea bargain in order to find the remains of their missing loved one. While it's understandable that people want closure in a case that has been long over-publicized, it's asinine to eve offer this man a shred of leniency. No plea bargain should be on the table when it comes to a potential serial killer. This man has slipped through the cracks of the U.S. justice system too many times, and it needs to end now.

Comments: 2

shelly b. Jul 22, 2012, 10:47pm UTC

I was studying at a local coffeeshop from March, April, May 2012 1012 hours a day. The CC's coffeehouse on Johnston street in Lafayette. I saw BSL at least 10-15 times in APRIL (cannot remember much about March or MAY). I spoke with him at least once. I remember vividly having my study materials at a sidebar, taking a break from my audio computer; and turning around and seeing him on the couch with a coffee and a newspaper staring at me. He had on military style army fatigues, a cap, combat boots, and a nametag. His nametag was first and last names, so it must have been an old one, not a military style issued one. Anyway, I asked him, were you in 'the military: in iraq or afghanistan"? He said "no, 'maam'; they kept me here. I looked kinda qeustioning and he said "I was in Ft Polk". Then he lifted one eye up and the other went down and he looked me up and down, a few times. sizing me up. I remember being 'miffed'; shocked that I said words to him because he seemed to have a head injury or sorts; not altogether upstairs". I have reported this to LE. BUT just wanted to say here that I am shocked a person like this can afford to go to an upscale coffeeshop and just hang out. I have no doubt he was behind me on a couch for a reason, measuring me up. and if his vehicle was on parkside turning rt on versailles and following me, I was staying very near st landry and uni these months. He could have easily followed me home from coffeehouse, waited for me to 'go out to my car in the middle of the night for study materials' and maybe got tired of waiting for me and went after Mickey. I am sure he not only stalked Mickey, but many many others in this area as well.

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roger s. Jul 23, 2012, 8:33am UTC

sounds like a real nut job from the bwginning

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Mickey Shunick Suspect Stalked and Bullied Beauty Queen

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