The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 06:34 PM

29-Year Old Woman Stabbed 123 Times By Husband Who Claims He Took Too Much Cough Syrup; Charged With First Degree Murder

A 29-year-old woman from Raleigh, North Carolina was stabbed 120 times in September.

Lauren Hugelmaier Phelps was stabbed 123 times on September 1. Her husband, 28-year-old Matthew Phelps, is being charged with first-degree murder.

In a 911 call, Lauren's husband alleged he had consumed too much cough syrup and woke from a dream to find his wife had been stabbed.

“I think I killed my (redacted),” Phelps said. “I had a dream and then I turned on the lights and she’s dead on the floor. I have blood all over me and there’s a bloody knife on the bed and I think I did it.”
He reiterated that he took more Coricidin, a cough medicine, than he should have.

“I can’t believe this. I can’t believe this,” the caller said. “I’m so scared.”

Upon arrival, paramedics found Lauren on the bedroom floor in the fetal position. First responders transported her to the hospital, but local police report she later died.

The medical examiner on the case reported that her neck and head had 44 stab wounds. Her left arm was stabbed 38 times, and she had 17 stab wounds in her left arm.

The maker of Corcidin, Bayer, released a statement to CBS North Carolina.

Bayer said, "Bayer extends our deepest sympathies to this family. Patient safety is our top priority, and we continually monitor adverse events regarding all of our products. There is no evidence to suggest that Coricidin is associated with violent behavior."

Phelps is due back in court on Monday.