Mickey Schunick and Lisa Pate Crimeline
Early July 1999
Lisa Pate missed a visit with her children.
Lisa Pate
Sept 21, 1999
A man found skeletal remains in the backyard of a rental house. They were identified as Lisa Pate.
February 2000
Brandon Lavergne pleaded guilty to a sexual assault charge and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Brandon Lavergne
April 2008
Brandon Lavergne was released from prison after a Grand Jury declined to indict him in Lisa Pate’s murder.
May 18, 2012
Mickey Schunick went out with friends in Lafayette, LA.
Mickey Schunick
May 19, 2012
at 12:45a: Mickey left the Artmosphere to go to her friend’s house
1:30a: Mickey got her last call on her cell phone.
1:45a: Mickey left her friend’s house on her bicycle.
1:47a: Mickey was seen on security cameras riding towards her home. A white Chevy Silverado Z-71 was traveling behind her.
Mickey Schunick riding home.
The white truck passing through the intersection after her.
11:30a: Mickey’s brother graduated and she never showed up.
May 21, 2012
Mickey’s family held a vigil on her birthday as she was missing for 2 days.
May 26, 2012
Mickey’s bicycle was found by fishermen in Whiskey Bay, 25 miles from where she was last seen. The back tire was severely damaged.
Mickey’s damaged bike.
May 31, 2012
A white Chevy Silverado Z-71 was found burned out in Texas but would not be connected to the case for 2 more weeks.
Burned out truck found in Texas.
June 14, 2012
A tip came in from a dealership saying a man, Brandon Lavergne, was trying to buy a white Chevy Silverado Z-71 after his similar truck had been stolen.
July 5, 2012
The police picked up Brandon Lavergne on suspicion he altered his driver’s license to remove his sex offender stamp. He refused to answer questions and was charged with Mickey’s murder.
Example of the Louisiana Sex Offender license stamp.
July 18, 2012
A Grand Jury indicted Brandon Lavergne for the murders of Lisa Pate and Mickey Schunick.
August 7, 2012
In a plea deal that took the death penalty off the table, Brandon Lavergne led police to the small cemetery near where he buried Mickey Schunick’s body.
Brandon Lavergne confessing to two murders.
August 17, 2012
Brandon Lavergne pleaded guilty to both the murders of Lisa Pate and Mickey Schunick.
Sources: 2024 Crimelines Podcast Source List