On October 14, 2019, Lauren Mitchell Hayes began what she hoped would be a joyful chapter of motherhood.

Her newborn son, Caleb, had just entered the world, and she was ready to begin their life together.

But within hours, her life would take a tragic and unexpected turn.

Lauren, a new mother, slipped into a violent septic shock, her body shutting down in a way no one had predicted.

Her blood pressure plummeted, and doctors worked around the clock to save her life.

Despite their efforts, the unthinkable happened.

In a desperate attempt to save her life, Lauren had to have her hands and legs amputated.

What doctors initially believed was a rare complication after childbirth quickly turned out to be something much more sinister.

At first, Lauren’s husband, Derek Hayes, played the role of concerned spouse.

But the truth would soon come to light.

Lauren’s sudden and catastrophic illness wasn’t caused by a freak medical complication, but by a deliberate act of poisoning.

As investigators delved into the mystery of Lauren’s shocking health decline, they uncovered a series of suspicious events.

Among those clues was a disturbing piece of footage that no one had thought to examine.

This footage would reveal the shocking truth about Derek’s involvement in his wife’s near-fatal condition.

The evidence painted a clear picture of premeditated poisoning.

Derek Hayes, the man Lauren had trusted most, had secretly poisoned her with a toxic substance while she was vulnerable and postpartum.

The motive? Financial gain.

Lauren’s recovery journey was long and painful, but she had no idea that her husband was the one who had put her in this position.

It was only after months of investigation that the truth began to unravel, revealing Derek’s calculated attempt to murder Lauren in cold blood.

Lauren, still in the midst of recovery, discovered the horrifying truth that her own husband had plotted to kill her.

His motive was driven by financial desperation, as well as a desire to free himself from the responsibilities of fatherhood and marriage.

Derek had even purchased a life insurance policy on Lauren before her death, ensuring he would benefit from her demise.

But despite his efforts to make her death appear like a medical complication, the evidence against him was undeniable.

Investigators uncovered his search history, which included disturbing searches about poisons, toxins, and how to cause death in a way that could be mistaken for natural causes.

The investigation revealed that Derek had researched and purchased the very poison that would almost kill Lauren.

This toxin, known as amattoxin, was found in Lauren’s bloodstream and matched perfectly with Derek’s research.

The shock didn’t stop there.

Lauren’s mother, Diane, began to notice Derek’s strange behavior long before the poisoning incident.

Diane’s observations of Derek’s lack of emotion during Lauren’s hospitalization were chilling.

She noticed how Derek barely engaged with Lauren, never asked about her recovery, and seemed detached, almost as if he were waiting for something to happen.

It was this unsettling behavior that prompted Diane to question her son-in-law’s true motives.

By the time Lauren was able to speak to investigators, the pieces of the puzzle had started to come together.

Lauren recounted the moment Derek made her a smoothie on the evening of October 14, hours before her condition worsened.

The smoothie, she believed, was a gesture of care from her husband.

Little did she know, it would be the catalyst for the nightmare that would follow.

Derek’s actions were meticulously planned, from the purchase of the poison to the poisoning itself, designed to look like a natural medical complication.

It was only after a thorough investigation and toxicology testing that Derek’s crime was uncovered.

The surveillance footage, showing Derek purchasing the death cap mushroom powder, provided the final piece of evidence that linked him directly to the poisoning.

Derek’s cold demeanor throughout the investigation and his lack of remorse only added to the growing case against him.

The prosecution was able to piece together a clear narrative of premeditated attempted murder.

In court, Derek’s behavior and actions were laid bare for the world to see.

Lauren’s testimony about her betrayal was heart-wrenching, as she explained how she had trusted the man who tried to kill her.

Her words resonated with the jury, and the evidence was overwhelming.

Derek Hayes was convicted of attempted murder and other related charges, and his sentence would be life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Lauren’s strength throughout the trial and her determination to seek justice were nothing short of heroic.

Though she faced a lifetime of challenges ahead, including adjusting to her new reality without hands and legs, Lauren remained resolute in her pursuit of justice.

Her case became a landmark example of how carefully calculated acts of domestic violence can be masked as medical emergencies.

Lauren now works with domestic violence organizations, using her voice to educate others about the signs of coercive control and the importance of speaking up before it’s too late.

Her story is one of survival, strength, and resilience, showing that even in the face of unimaginable betrayal, justice can be served.

For Lauren, justice wasn’t just about holding Derek accountable; it was about reclaiming her life, her voice, and her future.

Her journey continues, inspiring countless others to trust their instincts and fight back against the darkness that threatens to consume them.