Suspected Murderer Found Near Merrimack Gas Station Covered In Blood: Report

MANCHESTER, NH — A woman was found stabbed to death in a Manchester apartment by police on Thursday when they went to do a well-being check at the Hanover Street apartment.

Police entered the apartment just after 2 a.m. and found Laurie MacLellan deceased.

Around 1:30 a.m., Merrimack police were dispatched to the Rapid Refill Gas Station located at 1 Peachtree Lane in Merrimack for a welfare check. The welfare check had been called in by a woman who reported a man may have stabbed his girlfriend.

On arrival, Merrimack police observed two males standing next to two vehicles — one was identified as a 2008 Subaru Impreza bearing a New Hampshire registration of 4517253. The other vehicle was identified as a 2009 Honda Accord color black bearing a New Hampshire registration of 4753100. The registered owner of the Honda Accord was MacLellan.

During the interaction with the men, it was discovered that one, Eastman, was the ex-boyfriend of MacLellan who was stabbed in Manchester.

Officers observed Eastman had large amounts of dry blood stains on his pants and hands. He mentioned, according to a report, that he was bleeding from work earlier in the day. Officers observed Eastman to be very lethargic and slurring his words, an affidavit stated. One officer asked Eastman if he was on drugs and he stated he took suboxone, the report said.

The began asking Eastman what had happened and the officer accused him of saying he did not know. The officer questioned why police would be contacted for a stabbing and he again stated he was not sure, the officer said.

The officer said something was amiss and why someone would report a random stabbing was unclear, the report said, and then asked Eastman where MacLellan was and he stated at her home in Manchester on Hanover Street. Eastman was accused of saying he and MacLellan came to Rapid Refill to meet with his nephew. He then stated MacLellan was picked up by a friend, the report said.

The officer continued questioning Eastman, attempting to get names and more information about MacLellan. Eastman was accused of stating that he and MacLellan were attempting to rent a hotel room. When asked why she was not there, Eastman was accused of saying she was packing.

An officer in Manchester spoke with MacLellan's friend who confirmed she knew both Eastman and MacLellan. She stated that she was with MacLellan at her apartment last on Tuesday and had not see her again. She stated that she did not pick MacLellan up and added she had frequently seen Eastman in what she referred to as a "cocaine psychosis,” the report said.

The officer saw a cell phone in the vehicle and learned Eastman was a habitual offender. When asked if he drove the car to the state, Eastman denied he had, adding he and MacLellan drove to the gas station together. He mentioned he drove the Honda from the gas pump to the parking spot at one point, the officer wrote. The officer advised police would be looking into video surveillance to see if they matched his statements.

The officer then called Manchester police to request a welfare check on MacLellan, briefed dispatch about the situation, and provided an address to police to check.

When asked again about why Merrimack police would be sent to the gas station about a stabbing, Eastman continuously stated he did not know, the report said. Eastman again advised he came to the gas station with MacLellan, the officer said, and repeated the same story over again.

After some time, the Merrimack officer received a call from Manchester police. On Hanover Street, they breached MacLellan's apartment and discovered her on the floor, with a significant injury and blood. They also requested the Merrimack police to secure her vehicle since it was going to be towed to Manchester for further investigation. They also requested Merrimack police keep Eastman on the scene for the time being, the report said.

Eastman was placed in temporary detention but advised him he was not under arrest. During this time, Eastman continuously asked what he did wrong and what was going on, the report said. The officer then placed Eastman into his cruiser along with his property. As Eastman was placed into the cruiser, he requested his cell phone, the affidavit said. The officer advised him it would remain in the car for further investigation.

Manchester police confirmed to Merrimack police that MacLellan had died. A Manchester sergeant requested officers to remain on the scene and keep it secure.

According to Manchester police, when they discovered MacLellan, she had suffered from multiple stab wounds — including a metal object consistent with a knife blade still protruding from her face and an object consistent with a knife handle was observed on the floor next to Laurie's body, a report said.

Officers observed defensive wounds on the fingers of MacLellan's left hand but she was not breathing and was confirmed dead by AMR ALS 2.

Eastman told Merrimack officers, "I fucked up I don't know how many times he said that... Uhm., repeated that a bunch of times, and then when finally asked him what he did- he just said I stabbed her hurt her,” the report said.

Manchester police then requested a search warrant of MacLellan's apartment and Eastman was transported to the Manchester Police Department. When detectives asked if he would speak with them, he declined, a report said. The detectives who spoke with Eastman observed blood stains on Eastman's pants and shoes, the affidavit noted.

Eastman was charged later with second-degree murder. He was scheduled to be arraigned in Hillsborough County Superior Court on Friday where he waived arraignment and did not appear in the courtroom. He was ordered held on preventative detention and could serve up to life in prison if found guilty.

©Jeffrey Hastings www.frameofmindphoto.com/news