‘Never See Daylight Ever Again’: Family Tears into ‘Foul’ Man who Stabbed Woman 24 Times

In a heartfelt and emotional court appearance on Monday, Laurie MacLellan’s children expressed their anger and grief after Robert Eastman, 56, pleaded guilty to the second-degree murder of their mother. Eastman admitted to stabbing MacLellan, 59, 24 times in an act that has left the family devastated. The victim and her killer had been in an on-again, off-again relationship at the time of her death.

Emotional Impact on MacLellan’s Family

Nicole MacLellan, Laurie’s daughter, addressed Eastman in court with seething words of condemnation. “That’s disgusting, Rob,” she said. “I hope you are thinking of that day every day of your life and may you rot in prison and never see daylight ever again. You’re the worst. You’re a waste of space, OK, and I hope all of your family knows that.” Her powerful words captured the grief and pain that her family continues to endure. Brandon MacLellan, Laurie’s son, spoke similarly, calling Eastman a “foul, disgusting” man. He remembered his mother as a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. “Laurie was a mother, a grandmother, a friend, a kind soul and most important in our lives,” he said. “The day she was cowardly taken by Robert will forever burn in our minds.” Brandon expressed that Laurie’s death was not only a loss of a beloved family member, but also a loss of her presence in their world, which was taken when Eastman entered her life.

Eastman’s Sentence and Possible Path to Freedom

Eastman has been sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for the brutal killing of Laurie MacLellan. Although the sentence is lengthy, Eastman may eventually be eligible for parole. At the earliest, he could have his minimum sentence reduced by two years if he maintains good behavior during the first five years of his term. However, even if he is released from prison, Eastman faces additional legal consequences. The court has suspended a sentence of up to seven years for charges of falsifying physical evidence and driving while certified as a habitual offender. This sentence will hang over him for a decade after his release, further complicating his chances of reintegration into society.

Eastman’s Apology and the Path to Justice

During the court proceedings, Eastman’s attorney read a letter from him, in which Eastman claimed to have loved Laurie and expressed deep regret for his actions. “I hope each of you in some way can find some comfort knowing that I am haunted by this every day,” the letter stated. “I never wanted to hurt Laurie, and as hard as it is to believe, I do love her.” While the letter acknowledged the pain caused, it did little to ease the family’s grief and anger. State Attorney General John M. Formella commented on the outcome, saying that the guilty plea and sentence send a strong message against violent crime in New Hampshire. “While we can never fully heal the pain endured by Ms. MacLellan’s family, we hope this outcome provides them with a sense of relief and justice,” Formella said in a statement. He also thanked the prosecution team for their efforts in securing the conviction, underscoring the commitment to holding offenders accountable for their actions.