The Great Smoky Mountain Journal
Staff Reports
Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 03:50 PM
North Carolina Man Accused Of Killing Wife In Cough-Syrup Induced Stupor Was Aspiring Preacher
More information emerged Tuesday about Matthew Phelps, 29, who is accused of stabbing his wife Lauren Hugelmaier, also 29, several times after taking Coricidin, a cough and cold medicine. He admitted to authorities he took the medicine because it made him “feel good” and it would help him sleep.
According to their wedding page, the couple went to middle school together and reconnected years later thanks to Instagram. They started dating around 2014 and married in November 2016.
Their Facebook pages show a shared loved
for all things Star Wars, with several photos showing them dressed up as
characters, going to see the most recent film installments -- and even
having a lightsaber fight during their wedding reception.
Phelps worked at a landscaping company and studied missions and
evangelism at Clear Creek Baptist Bible College in Pineville, Ky., his
Facebook page said.
According to her obituary, Hugelmaier was an active member of Hope
Lutheran Church “where she loved working with the Children’s and Youth
Ministries.”
Matt Phelps Lauren HugelmaierExpand / Collapse
Matt Phelps, right, is accused of killing Lauren Hugelmaier. (Facebook)
Ryker Hampton, who worked at the North Carolina church, said in a
Facebook post that Hugelmaier was a “superstar volunteer.”
“You showed up every youth night and every event ready to turn whatever
dumb idea I had into a reality. I’m thankful for that,” he wrote. “I get
to see you again one day and that’s keeping me going. You finished your
race and you finished well. I promise I’ll do the same. And hopefully,
I’ll figure out a few more escape games along the way.”
